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Hampden Park has hosted many historic occasions over its illustrious history since 1903. Remember this game to the annals. Scotland's long wait has ended. The manager, Andy Robertson, the midfielder, the playmaker; you shall go to the ball. So too Kieran Tierney, whose swerving shot from outside the box seemed to have sealed success in a high-scoring affair until Kenny McLean produced an more stunning fourth.

Nearly 30 years of disappointment, during which Scotland have seen the World Cup from a distance, were erased as Denmark fell to a loss in injury time. Adult fans in traditional dress cried. Denmark's qualification in the upcoming event depends on qualifiers. The coach and a suddenly giddy football nation can begin planning concrete plans.

Academics could write studies on how on earth Scotland accomplished this. They seemed down and out at points, as recently as Saturday when suffering a loss in Greece. It was almost as if someone, somewhere had decreed the Scots had waited quite enough for a return to the World Cup. The contributions of Tierney and McLean were extraordinary.

The Night Begins

The evening had apparently opened in difficult fashion for the home side. The defender, who had been scheduled to play alongside Scott McKenna in central defence, was hurt in the warm-up. Grant Hanley took his place. Any sense of disruption was forgotten in the opening moments.

It was one of the most spectacular strikes produced at Hampden in living memory.

The winger jinked and weaved on the wing. His floated cross ought to have been tricky for the midfielder to navigate. He was with his back to goal, initially. Instead, he catapulted himself into the sky and planted an bicycle kick beyond the grasp of the goalkeeper. This historic stadium erupted, not only in acknowledgment of the opening goal but the unique situation in which it arrived. Wow.

Game Battle

The Scottish midfielder was playing like a player inspired. The young winger appeared electric. Scottish offense was evident in pushing forward with great intensity; Craig Gordon denied from Rasmus Højlund after the Denmark striker was through on goal. The offside flag was raised but he may well have been onside a VAR review were it required. As a Danish player flashed a cross across the Scotland goal and the defender deflected effectively from another attacker, the Scots were in a fight to hold their advantage.

Gannon-Doak had unnerved the Danes with his pace. It felt a big setback to the manager, then, as the Bournemouth man overstretched when trying to stop a pass. He left the field on a medical cart after just 20 minutes.

The striker soon had the goal in the goal but was penalised for a foul on Aaron Hickey. By the half-hour, the team were playing very on the edge, a point highlighted as the defender turned a midfielder drive just off target. Yet Scotland made it to the halftime without conceding. They were even denied of a great opportunity of a additional goal, Rasmus Kristensen cleverly fouling McGinn, receiving a booking, after the midfielder took advantage of Danish slackness.

Second Half Drama

Højlund forced the keeper into a smart, down save within 90 seconds of the second half. If Scotland were going to do this, 45 minutes would seem like the 27 years since their last World Cup. Considering the visitors only required a draw, the flow of play right from the start of the half felt ominous for the home team. They were managing – somewhat – in breaking up Denmark attacks but promptly handing the ball back to the players in the away kit.

As the tying goal was scored, it came with the hint of controversy associated.

The official originally noticed no infringement with the captain's tackle on the winger on the angle of the box. Indeed, it seemed the player flung himself into the air. After being advised to check by the VAR, the referee pointed to the spot. The striker blasted home. On the balance, parity was the minimum the away side deserved but Scotland had reason to be sore about the circumstances.

Late Action

The only thing thrilling encounter lacked was a red card. It arrived on the 60-minute mark, the defender's second foul of the night on a marauding midfielder bringing a second yellow card. Now the coach twisted by introducing the forwards one substitute and Che Adams.

This decision was to work out. Denmark's marking of an inswinging Lewis Ferguson corner was poor, letting Shankland to finish. The substitute, introduced for his goal-scoring ability, showed precisely that. The opposition manager the coach, though, had reason to be angry at how straightforward it was.

Scotland had little time to build on their lead. In moments, Patrick Dorgu placed into the net after Andreas Christensen passed into his path inside the box from the net. This time Scotland were overly careless.

Adams directed a header wide. The midfielder's bending shot narrowly went past the post. Then came the defender and a goal worthy to win the contest. The substitute added gloss: from the halfway line, at that.