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Scotland's national stadium has hosted countless memorable events over its illustrious history dating back to 1903. Include this game to the record. Scotland's extended drought is over. The manager, Andy Robertson, the midfielder, John McGinn; you shall go to the ball. So too the defender, whose bending strike from outside the box appeared to secured victory in a five-goal thriller until the substitute produced an even more spectacular fourth.

Nearly three decades of disappointment, during which the Scottish men's team have seen the World Cup from the sidelines, were obliterated as Denmark suffered a loss in added time. Adult fans in kilts shed tears. The Danish participation in the next tournament rests on qualifiers. The coach and a suddenly giddy football nation can prepare solid arrangements.

PhD students could write papers on how exactly the team achieved this. They looked finished at points, as recently as Saturday when falling to defeat in Athens. It was like fate had decided the Scottish team had waited quite enough for a World Cup return. The actions of the defender and McLean were extraordinary.

The Match Kicks Off

The match had reportedly opened in challenging circumstances for Scotland. John Souttar, who had been due to play alongside Scott McKenna in defense, was injured in the pregame. His replacement filled in. All problem was dispelled in the opening moments.

This was among the most amazing goals produced at the stadium in living memory.

The winger jinked and weaved on the right. His arched pass was expected to be difficult for the midfielder to handle. He was facing away from goal, for starters. Rather, McTominay catapulted himself into the sky and landed an scissor kick beyond the grasp of the goalkeeper. This famous stadium roared, not only in recognition of the first goal but the remarkable situation in which it occurred. Incredible.

Midfield Contest

The Scottish midfielder was performing like a player inspired. Gannon-Doak appeared dynamic. The home team's danger shone in attacking aggressively; Craig Gordon blocked from Rasmus Højlund after the Denmark forward was in alone. The offside flag was raised but he may well have survived a VAR review if needed. As a Danish player sent a cross across the Scottish goal and McKenna blocked well from Victor Froholdt, the Scots were in a contest to maintain their advantage.

The winger had unnerved the Danish team with his quickness. It felt a significant setback to Clarke, at that point, as the Bournemouth man strained when trying to stop a cross. He left the scene on a stretcher after just the first half.

Højlund soon had the ball in the net but was penalised for a push on the defender. By the 30-minute mark, Scotland were living extremely dangerously, a point further emphasised as the defender turned a midfielder drive just off target. But they reached the halftime without conceding. They were even robbed of a excellent chance of a second goal, a Danish defender smartly fouling McGinn, earning a booking, after the player capitalised on Danish mistakes.

Second Half Excitement

Højlund made Gordon into a smart, down stop in 90 seconds of the restart. If Scotland were going to succeed, the remainder would seem like the decades since World Cup participation. Given the visitors only needed a tie, the direction of traffic right from the start of the half felt worrying for the home team. They were managing – to a point – in stopping Denmark attacks but promptly handing the possession back to those in red.

When the tying goal was scored, it came with the whiff of controversy involved.

The referee initially saw no infringement with Robertson challenge on Gustav Isaksen on the edge of the penalty area. In fact, it appeared Isaksen dived into the ground. After being instructed to review by the VAR, Szymon Marciniak pointed to the penalty spot. Højlund drilled home. On the balance, parity was the minimum Denmark merited but Scotland had cause to be sore about the call.

Late Heroics

The only thing action-packed match lacked was a sending off. It arrived on the hour, Kristensen another infraction of the match on a attacking midfielder earning another caution. Then Clarke made a change by throwing on the forwards Lawrence Shankland and Che Adams.

The move was to prove effective. The Danish defending of an curling midfielder set piece was disorganized, letting the striker to strike. The substitute, brought on for his goal-scoring ability, showed precisely that. The opposition manager Brian Riemer, however, had cause to be furious at how simple it was.

Scotland had little time to extend their advantage. In a short time, a Danish player slotted home after Andreas Christensen laid into his way 12 yards from goal. On this occasion Scotland were too lenient.

The striker flicked a shot off target. The midfielder's bending shot narrowly went past the upright. Enter the defender and a moment fit to deciding any match. The substitute sealed it: from the midfield, at that.