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Hampden Park has witnessed countless unforgettable moments over its long history dating back to 1903. Add this one to the annals. Scotland's extended drought has concluded. The manager, Andy Robertson, Scott McTominay, the playmaker; you shall go to the ball. Along with them Kieran Tierney, whose curling strike from outside the box appeared to clinched victory in a high-scoring affair before Kenny McLean executed an even more stunning fourth.

Almost three decades of frustration, during which the Scottish men's team have observed the World Cup from afar, were obliterated as the Danish team fell to defeat in added time. Supporters in kilts cried. The Danish chance in next summer’s tournament hinges on qualifiers. The coach and a now ecstatic Scottish football community can start making solid plans.

Researchers could write work on how on earth Scotland accomplished this. They seemed defeated at points, just days before the weekend when suffering a loss in Greece. It was almost as if fate had decided the Scots had waited long enough for a return to the World Cup. The actions of Tierney and McLean were extraordinary.

The Match Begins

The match had apparently started in challenging fashion for Scotland. The defender, who had been scheduled to play alongside Scott McKenna in central defence, was injured in the warm-up. Grant Hanley filled in. Any sense of problem was banished in three minutes.

This was some of the most amazing strikes produced at Hampden in modern history.

Ben Gannon-Doak dribbled and dodged on the wing. His lofted delivery should have been tricky for the midfielder to control. He was with his back to goal, for starters. Rather, McTominay launched himself into the sky and planted an overhead kick beyond the reach of Kasper Schmeichel. This renowned venue exploded, not simply in appreciation of the opening goal but the special circumstances in which it arrived. Wow.

Game Struggle

McTominay was playing like a man possessed. Gannon-Doak looked electric. The home team's threat resonated in pushing forward with great intensity; the goalkeeper blocked from Rasmus Højlund after the Denmark striker was sent clean through. The offside flag was raised but he might have survived a further inspection if needed. As a Danish player sent a cross across the Scotland area and the defender deflected well from another attacker, the Scots were in a battle to maintain their lead.

Gannon-Doak had rattled the Danish team with his quickness. It felt a major setback to the manager, at that point, as the Bournemouth man overstretched when attempting to stop a cross. He departed the pitch on a medical cart after only the opening period.

Højlund soon had the goal in the net but was flagged for a foul on Aaron Hickey. By the half-hour, Scotland were playing far too on the edge, a fact underscored as Hanley turned a midfielder drive just wide. Yet Scotland made it to the halftime unscathed. They were even denied of a great opportunity of a two-goal lead, Rasmus Kristensen cleverly fouling the midfielder, earning a yellow card, after the midfielder took advantage of opposition slackness.

Second Half Action

Højlund forced Gordon into a smart, low stop within 90 seconds of the restart. If Scotland were going to do this, 45 minutes would feel like the long wait since their last World Cup. Given the visitors only required a draw, the direction of play right from the start of the half felt threatening for the hosts. Scotland were succeeding – to a point – in breaking up Denmark attacks but promptly giving the possession right back to the players in red.

When the tying goal arrived, it came with the whiff of controversy attached.

The referee initially saw no foul with the captain's challenge on the winger on the angle of the penalty area. In fact, it seemed Isaksen dived into the ground. After being advised to review by the VAR, the referee awarded the spot. Højlund blasted home. On the run of play, parity was the least Denmark deserved but the hosts had cause to be upset about the call.

Late Heroics

The only thing exciting game lacked was a sending off. It arrived on the hour, Kristensen second foul of the night on a attacking McGinn earning another caution. Now Clarke twisted by throwing on the forwards Lawrence Shankland and Che Adams.

The move was to work out. Denmark's marking of an curling midfielder set piece was disorganized, letting Shankland to strike. The substitute, brought on for his goal-scoring ability, showed exactly that. The Danish head coach the coach, however, had cause to be angry at how easy it was.

The home team had no time to extend their lead. Within three minutes, a Danish player slotted home after Andreas Christensen laid into his path from close range from the net. This time the defense were too careless.

Adams directed a shot off target. McGinn curling attempt narrowly missed the upright. Enter the defender and a moment worthy to deciding the contest. The substitute sealed it: from the midfield, no less.