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Scotland's national stadium has hosted countless memorable occasions over its illustrious history since 1903. Add this match to the list. Scotland's extended drought is over. Steve Clarke, Andy Robertson, Scott McTominay, John McGinn; you shall go to the ball. So too the defender, whose bending effort from outside the box looked like it had clinched success in a five-goal thriller before the substitute delivered an more spectacular fourth.

Nearly 30 years of disappointment, during which the Scottish men's team have seen the global tournament from a distance, were wiped away as the Danish team fell to defeat in injury time. Adult fans in traditional dress wept. Denmark's qualification in the next event depends on March playoffs. The coach and a suddenly giddy Scottish football community can prepare concrete arrangements.

PhD students could produce papers on how on earth the team accomplished this. They appeared finished at points, no more recently than Saturday when falling to defeat in Athens. It was like someone, somewhere had predetermined the Scots had waited quite enough for a World Cup return. The contributions of the defender and McLean were remarkable.

The Match Begins

The night had apparently started in tough circumstances for Scotland. The defender, who had been scheduled to partner Scott McKenna in the back line, was hurt in the warm-up. Grant Hanley stepped in. All problem was forgotten within the opening moments.

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

The winger dribbled and dodged on the right. His lofted pass should have been challenging for McTominay to control. He was facing away from goal, for starters. Rather, he catapulted himself into the sky and planted an bicycle kick beyond the reach of the goalkeeper. This historic stadium roared, not simply in recognition of the first goal but the remarkable situation in which it arrived. Incredible.

Game Battle

The Scottish midfielder was performing like a player inspired. The young winger appeared explosive. The home team's danger resonated in going on the offensive aggressively; Craig Gordon denied from Rasmus Højlund after the opposition striker was sent clean through. The assistant's flag was raised but he may well have survived a VAR review were it required. As a Danish player sent a ball across the Scottish area and the defender deflected well from another attacker, the Scots were in a battle to keep their advantage.

Gannon-Doak had unnerved the Danish team with his speed. It felt a big loss to the manager, then, as the player strained when trying to block a cross. He left the pitch on a medical cart after just 20 minutes.

Højlund soon had the goal in the goal but was flagged for a push on Aaron Hickey. By the half-hour, Scotland were playing very recklessly, a fact further emphasised as Hanley turned a Pierre‑Emile Højbjerg shot just off target. Yet they made it to the break unscathed. They were even denied of a excellent opportunity of a additional goal, a Danish defender cleverly taking out McGinn, receiving a booking, after the player capitalised on Danish carelessness.

Final Period Excitement

Højlund made the keeper into a smart, low stop within the opening moments of the restart. If the Scots were going to qualify, the remainder would seem like the long wait since World Cup participation. Considering Denmark only needed a draw, the direction of play right from the onset of the second period felt worrying for the hosts. Scotland were managing – partially – in stopping Danish offensives but promptly handing the possession right back to those in red.

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

The referee originally saw nothing wrong with Robertson tackle on Gustav Isaksen on the angle of the penalty area. Indeed, it seemed Isaksen dived into the air. After being advised to look again by the video assistant referee, the referee pointed to the penalty spot. The striker blasted into the net. On the overall play, parity was the least the away side earned but the hosts had reason to be sore about the circumstances.

Final Action

The only thing thrilling game was missing was a sending off. It came on the 60-minute mark, the defender's second foul of the night on a attacking midfielder bringing a second yellow card. Then the coach made a change by bringing on the forwards one substitute and Che Adams.

The move was to work out. Denmark's defending of an curling Lewis Ferguson corner was disorganized, allowing the striker to finish. The substitute, introduced for his attacking prowess, demonstrated exactly that. The Danish head coach Brian Riemer, though, had reason to be furious at how simple it was.

Scotland had little time to build on their advantage. Within a short time, Patrick Dorgu placed into the net after Andreas Christensen laid into his way inside the box from goal. On this occasion the defense were too lenient.

The striker flicked a shot wide. The midfielder's bending attempt narrowly went past the post. Then came the defender and a goal capable of win the contest. McLean added gloss: from the midfield, at that.