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Scotland's national stadium has hosted numerous historic moments throughout its long history since 1903. Add this match to the list. The Scottish protracted drought has concluded. Steve Clarke, Andy Robertson, the midfielder, the playmaker; they will be at the World Cup. So too the defender, whose curling effort from distance seemed to have sealed success in a high-scoring affair until the substitute delivered an still more stunning final goal.

Nearly three decades of heartache, during which Scotland have watched the World Cup from afar, were wiped away as Denmark suffered defeat in stoppage time. Grown men in traditional dress wept. The Danish chance in the next jamboree rests on March playoffs. Clarke and a now jubilant football nation can prepare concrete arrangements.

PhD students could develop work on how on earth Scotland accomplished this. They appeared finished at moments, just days before Saturday when suffering a loss in Athens. It was like destiny had decreed the Scots had waited long enough for a place in the tournament. The actions of Tierney and the midfielder were extraordinary.

The Night Kicks Off

The evening had reportedly started in tough circumstances for Scotland. John Souttar, who had been scheduled to partner Scott McKenna in central defence, was injured in the warm-up. Grant Hanley stepped in. Any sense of problem was banished in the opening moments.

It was one of the most amazing finishes delivered at the stadium in living memory.

Ben Gannon-Doak jinked and weaved on the right flank. His lofted pass should have been tricky for McTominay to navigate. He was facing away from goal, to begin with. Instead, he launched himself into the sky and landed an overhead kick beyond the grasp of the goalkeeper. This renowned stadium exploded, not just in acknowledgment of the first goal but the remarkable context in which it arrived. Amazing.

Midfield Battle

McTominay was performing like a driven individual. The young winger looked electric. Scottish offense shone in pushing forward too ferociously; Craig Gordon saved from Rasmus Højlund after the opposition forward was in alone. The offside flag was raised but Højlund may well have survived a further inspection if it had been necessary. As Mikkel Damsgaard sent a ball across the Scottish area and the defender deflected well from Victor Froholdt, the Scots were in a contest to maintain their lead.

Gannon-Doak had rattled the Danes with his speed. It felt a significant blow to the manager, then, as the player overstretched when trying to stop a pass. He left the pitch on a medical cart after only 20 minutes.

The striker soon had the goal in the goal but was flagged for a foul on the defender. By the half-hour, the team were playing extremely recklessly, a fact underscored as Hanley turned a midfielder drive just off target. Yet Scotland reached the halftime unscathed. They were also denied of a excellent chance of a additional goal, a Danish defender smartly taking out the midfielder, earning a yellow card, after the midfielder took advantage of Danish mistakes.

Final Period Excitement

Højlund made Gordon into a sharp, down save in a minute and a half of the restart. If Scotland were going to do this, 45 minutes would seem like the decades since World Cup participation. Given the visitors only needed a tie, the flow of traffic from the start of the half felt ominous for the hosts. They were managing – to a point – in breaking up Danish offensives but promptly giving the ball right back to the players in the away kit.

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

The referee originally saw nothing wrong with Robertson challenge on Gustav Isaksen on the angle of the penalty area. In fact, it appeared the player dived into the ground. After being instructed to check by the VAR, the referee awarded the spot. The striker blasted into the net. On the balance, parity was the minimum Denmark merited but Scotland had cause to be angry about the circumstances.

Late Drama

The only thing thrilling encounter lacked was a dismissal. It came on the 60-minute mark, the defender's second foul of the match on a marauding McGinn bringing a second yellow card. Now the coach made a change by introducing the forwards one substitute and another.

This decision was to pay dividends. The Danish marking of an inswinging midfielder corner was disorganized, allowing Shankland to strike. The Hearts frontman, brought on for his predatory instinct, demonstrated exactly that. The opposition manager Brian Riemer, however, had reason to be upset at how simple it was.

Scotland had no time to extend their lead. In moments, Patrick Dorgu slotted into the net after a teammate laid into his path inside the box from goal. On this occasion Scotland were too lenient.

Adams flicked a header wide. McGinn curling shot narrowly missed the post. Enter Tierney and a moment fit to deciding the contest. The substitute sealed it: from the midfield, no less.