🔗 Share this article

Hampden Park has witnessed many historic occasions over its long history dating back to 1903. Add this game to the annals. Scotland's long absence has ended. Steve Clarke, the captain, the midfielder, the playmaker; they will be at the World Cup. So too Kieran Tierney, whose swerving effort from 22 yards appeared to secured victory in a high-scoring affair until Kenny McLean produced an more spectacular clincher.

Nearly 27 years of frustration, during which the Scottish men's team have seen the global tournament from a distance, were obliterated as Denmark suffered defeat in stoppage time. Grown men in traditional dress cried. Denmark's participation in the upcoming tournament rests on March playoffs. The coach and a now ecstatic football nation can start making definite arrangements.

Academics could produce work on the manner in which Scotland pulled off this. They appeared down and out at times, no more recently than Saturday when falling to defeat in Athens. It was almost as if destiny had predetermined the Scottish team had waited long enough for a World Cup return. The interventions of Tierney and McLean were incredible.

The Night Kicks Off

The evening had reportedly opened in tough circumstances for Scotland. The defender, who had been set to partner the centre-back in the back line, was hurt in the warmup. His replacement filled in. Any sense of disruption was dispelled in the first few minutes.

This was among the most amazing goals produced at the stadium in living memory.

The winger dribbled and dodged on the right flank. The Bournemouth winger’s arched cross was expected to be difficult for the midfielder to handle. He was with his back to the net, to begin with. Rather, McTominay catapulted himself into the sky and planted an scissor kick past the grasp of the goalkeeper. This historic venue roared, not simply in acknowledgment of the first goal but the special circumstances in which it arrived. Amazing.

Game Struggle

The Scottish midfielder was performing like a player inspired. The young winger appeared explosive. Scottish offense resonated in going on the offensive aggressively; Craig Gordon blocked from the Danish striker after the opposition striker was in alone. The offside flag was up but he may well have been onside a VAR review if needed. As Mikkel Damsgaard sent a cross across the Scotland area and the defender blocked effectively from another attacker, the home side were in a fight to maintain their advantage.

Gannon-Doak had panicked the Danish team with his quickness. It felt a big blow to the manager, then, as the Bournemouth man strained when trying to block a cross. He left the pitch on a stretcher after only 20 minutes.

Højlund shortly had the goal in the net but was called for a push on the defender. By the half-hour, Scotland were living very on the edge, a fact further emphasised as Hanley deflected a Pierre‑Emile Højbjerg shot just off target. But Scotland made it to the break still ahead. They were even denied of a great chance of a additional goal, Rasmus Kristensen cleverly fouling McGinn, earning a booking, after the player capitalised on opposition slackness.

Final Period Drama

Højlund made Gordon into a sharp, low save in 90 seconds of the restart. If Scotland were going to qualify, 45 minutes would seem like the decades since the tournament. Given the visitors only needed a draw, the flow of traffic right from the onset of the half felt ominous for the home team. They were managing – somewhat – in stopping Denmark attacks but promptly handing the ball right back to those in red.

When the tying goal was scored, it came with the hint of cordite involved.

The referee originally saw nothing wrong with the captain's tackle on the winger on the angle of the box. In fact, it seemed Isaksen flung himself into the ground. After being advised to check by the VAR, Szymon Marciniak awarded the penalty spot. The striker smashed into the net. On the run of play, parity was the minimum Denmark earned but the hosts had reason to be sore about the decision.

Final Drama

All this thrilling game was missing was a dismissal. It came on the 60-minute mark, the defender's second foul of the night on a attacking midfielder earning another caution. Then the coach twisted by throwing on the strikers Lawrence Shankland and Che Adams.

The move was to work out. The Danish defending of an inswinging Lewis Ferguson corner was shambolic, letting the striker to score. The substitute, brought on for his predatory instinct, produced precisely that. The Danish head coach Brian Riemer, though, had cause to be angry at how straightforward it was.

The home team had no time to build on their lead. Within a short time, a Danish player stroked into the net after a teammate laid into his path 12 yards from goal. On this occasion Scotland were too generous.

Adams flicked a shot wide. The midfielder's bending shot just missed the post. Enter Tierney and a strike fit to win the contest. The substitute provided the finish: from the midfield, indeed.