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Scotland's national stadium has witnessed many memorable events over its long history since 1903. Include this match to the annals. Scotland's long absence is over. The manager, the captain, the midfielder, John McGinn; they will be at the World Cup. So too Kieran Tierney, whose bending strike from outside the box looked like it had secured victory in a five-goal thriller until the substitute delivered an even more stunning fourth.

Nearly 30 years of frustration, during which the Scottish men's team have seen men’s World Cups from afar, were wiped away as the Danish team fell to a loss in stoppage time. Grown men in kilts wept. The Danish participation in the upcoming tournament depends on playoff matches. Clarke and a suddenly jubilant country can prepare solid arrangements.

Academics could write studies on how exactly Scotland achieved this. They seemed defeated at times, just days before Saturday when suffering defeat in Greece. It was as though someone, somewhere had predetermined the Scots had waited quite enough for a place in the tournament. The contributions of Tierney and McLean were remarkable.

The Match Unfolds

The night had reportedly opened in tough circumstances for the home side. The defender, who had been set to partner the centre-back in the back line, was injured in the pregame. Grant Hanley filled in. All setback was forgotten in three minutes.

This was some of the most amazing goals scored at the stadium in living memory.

The winger maneuvered on the right. His lofted cross should have been tricky for the midfielder to control. He was with his back to goal, for starters. Rather, McTominay propelled himself into the air and landed an scissor kick beyond the grasp of the goalkeeper. This famous stadium roared, not just in acknowledgment of the early lead but the remarkable situation in which it came. Amazing.

Game Battle

The Scottish midfielder was playing like a man possessed. Gannon-Doak looked dynamic. Scottish threat shone in going on the offensive too ferociously; Craig Gordon denied from Rasmus Højlund after the opposition forward was in alone. The assistant's flag was up but he may well have been onside a second check were it required. As Mikkel Damsgaard sent a ball across the Scottish goal and the defender deflected well from Victor Froholdt, the Scots were in a contest to maintain their lead.

Gannon-Doak had unnerved the Danish team with his quickness. It felt a big loss to the manager, then, as the Bournemouth man strained when trying to stop a pass. He left the field on a stretcher after only 20 minutes.

The striker soon had the goal in the goal but was flagged for a push on Aaron Hickey. By the half-hour, Scotland were living very recklessly, a point highlighted as Hanley turned a Pierre‑Emile Højbjerg shot just off target. But Scotland reached the break unscathed. They were even denied of a great chance of a two-goal lead, Rasmus Kristensen cleverly fouling the midfielder, earning a yellow card, after the midfielder capitalised on Danish slackness.

Final Period Drama

The attacker forced the keeper into a smart, down save in a minute and a half of the second half. If the Scots were going to do this, 45 minutes would seem like the 27 years since their last World Cup. Given the visitors only needed a draw, the flow of play from the start of the second period felt ominous for the hosts. Scotland were succeeding – to a point – in breaking up Denmark offensives but immediately handing the possession right back to those in red.

As the equaliser arrived, it came with the scent of cordite associated.

The official initially noticed no infringement with the captain's challenge on the winger on the angle of the penalty area. In fact, it seemed the player dived into the ground. After being instructed to check by the VAR, the referee awarded the spot. Højlund smashed home. On the overall play, parity was the least Denmark merited but the hosts had cause to be sore about the call.

Late Drama

All this thrilling game was missing was a dismissal. It arrived on the 60-minute mark, Kristensen second foul of the night on a marauding McGinn bringing another caution. Now Clarke twisted by bringing on the forwards Lawrence Shankland and Che Adams.

This decision was to prove effective. Denmark's marking of an inswinging Lewis Ferguson corner was poor, allowing Shankland to finish. The Hearts frontman, brought on for his goal-scoring ability, demonstrated exactly that. The opposition manager the coach, though, had cause to be furious at how easy it was.

The home team had little time to extend their lead. Within a short time, Patrick Dorgu slotted into the net after a teammate passed into his path inside the box from goal. On this occasion Scotland were too lenient.

The striker directed a shot off target. McGinn curling shot just missed the upright. Enter Tierney and a moment worthy to deciding the game. McLean provided the finish: from the halfway line, indeed.