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Hampden Park has been the stage for many unforgettable moments over its long history since 1903. Remember this one to the annals. Scotland's protracted wait has ended. Steve Clarke, the captain, the midfielder, John McGinn; they are headed to the tournament. So too the defender, whose swerving shot from outside the box seemed to have secured success in a high-scoring affair before Kenny McLean produced an still more spectacular final goal.

Almost 27 years of disappointment, during which Scotland have watched the global tournament from the sidelines, were wiped away as Denmark fell to a loss in injury time. Grown men in kilts cried. Denmark's chance in the upcoming tournament depends on playoff matches. Clarke and a suddenly jubilant football nation can prepare solid plans.

PhD students could write studies on the manner in which Scotland accomplished this. They looked down and out at times, no more recently than the weekend when falling to defeat in Greece. It was almost as if someone, somewhere had decided the Scots had waited long enough for a place in the tournament. The actions of the defender and McLean were remarkable.

The Game Kicks Off

The match had reportedly started in difficult fashion for Scotland. The defender, who had been scheduled to play alongside Scott McKenna in the back line, was injured in the pregame. Grant Hanley took his place. Any sense of setback was dispelled within three minutes.

This was one of the most wondrous strikes produced at Hampden in living memory.

The winger maneuvered on the right flank. The Bournemouth winger’s lofted cross should have been challenging for McTominay to control. He was facing away from the net, initially. Rather, he launched himself into the air and planted an overhead kick past the reach of the goalkeeper. This renowned old place erupted, not simply in recognition of the opening goal but the remarkable context in which it occurred. Amazing.

Game Contest

The Scottish midfielder was playing like a man possessed. Gannon-Doak appeared explosive. The home team's threat was evident in attacking too ferociously; the goalkeeper blocked from the Danish striker after the Denmark forward was through on goal. The assistant's flag was up but he might have been onside a VAR review were it required. As Mikkel Damsgaard flashed a ball across the Scotland goal and the defender blocked well from Victor Froholdt, the home side were in a contest to keep their lead.

The winger had panicked the Danish team with his quickness. It felt a major blow to Clarke, at that point, as the player strained when trying to stop a pass. He left the scene on a stretcher after just the first half.

The striker shortly had the ball in the net but was flagged for a foul on the defender. By the 30-minute mark, the team were playing very dangerously, a point highlighted as the defender turned a midfielder drive narrowly wide. Yet they reached the break still ahead. They were also robbed of a great opportunity of a additional goal, Rasmus Kristensen cleverly fouling the midfielder, receiving a booking, after the player capitalised on opposition carelessness.

Final Period Drama

Højlund forced Gordon into a smart, low stop within 90 seconds of the restart. If the Scots were going to succeed, 45 minutes would feel like the 27 years since the tournament. Considering the visitors only needed a tie, the direction of play from the start of the half felt worrying for the home team. They were managing – partially – in breaking up Denmark attacks but promptly giving the ball right back to those in red.

When the equaliser arrived, it came with the whiff of cordite involved.

The referee originally saw no foul with Robertson challenge on Gustav Isaksen on the edge of the penalty area. Indeed, it appeared Isaksen flung himself into the air. After being instructed to look again by the video assistant referee, the referee pointed to the penalty spot. The striker drilled into the net. On the run of play, parity was the minimum the away side deserved but Scotland had cause to be upset about the call.

Final Action

The only thing thrilling match lacked was a sending off. It arrived on the hour, Kristensen second foul of the match on a marauding midfielder bringing another caution. Now Clarke twisted by introducing the strikers one substitute and Che Adams.

This decision was to pay dividends. The Danish defending of an inswinging Lewis Ferguson set piece was shambolic, letting Shankland to strike. The Hearts frontman, introduced for his predatory instinct, showed precisely that. The Danish head coach Brian Riemer, however, had cause to be angry at how easy it was.

Scotland had little time to build on their lead. Within a short time, Patrick Dorgu placed into the net after Andreas Christensen laid into his way from close range from the net. This time the defense were too careless.

Adams flicked a shot off target. The midfielder's curling attempt just went past the upright. Enter the defender and a moment worthy to deciding the game. The substitute added gloss: from the halfway line, indeed.