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Hampden Park has hosted countless memorable occasions throughout its rich history dating back to 1903. Remember this one to the record. Scotland's protracted absence is over. Steve Clarke, the captain, Scott McTominay, the playmaker; they will be at the World Cup. Along with them Kieran Tierney, whose curling effort from distance looked like it had clinched the win by the odd goal in five before Kenny McLean produced an more spectacular final goal.

Almost 30 years of frustration, during which Scotland have watched men’s World Cups from the sidelines, were obliterated as Denmark fell to defeat in injury time. Supporters in kilts wept. Denmark's chance in the upcoming jamboree rests on qualifiers. Clarke and a suddenly giddy football nation can begin planning concrete plans.

PhD students could develop studies on the manner in which the team accomplished this. They seemed down and out at points, just days before Saturday when suffering a loss in Athens. It was like someone, somewhere had decreed the Scottish team had endured sufficient for a World Cup return. The actions of the defender and the midfielder were remarkable.

The Night Kicks Off

The evening had supposedly opened in difficult fashion for the home side. The defender, who had been scheduled to play alongside the centre-back in the back line, was hurt in the warm-up. Grant Hanley took his place. Any sense of setback was dispelled within the opening moments.

It was some of the most amazing finishes produced at the stadium in recent times.

The winger jinked and weaved on the right flank. His arched cross was expected to be tricky for McTominay to control. He was with his back to the net, for starters. Instead, he launched himself into the air and landed an overhead kick beyond the grasp of Kasper Schmeichel. This historic venue exploded, not just in recognition of the first goal but the special context in which it came. Wow.

Game Contest

The Scottish midfielder was performing like a driven individual. Gannon-Doak looked electric. The home team's offense shone in going on the offensive too ferociously; the goalkeeper saved from the Danish striker after the Denmark striker was in alone. The assistant's flag was up but he could have been onside a VAR review if it had been necessary. As Mikkel Damsgaard flashed a ball across the Scotland goal and the defender blocked well from Victor Froholdt, the home side were in a fight to keep their lead.

Gannon-Doak had rattled the Danish team with his speed. It felt a major setback to Clarke, then, as the Bournemouth man overstretched when trying to stop a pass. He departed the scene on a stretcher after just 20 minutes.

Højlund soon had the ball in the net but was penalised for a push on the defender. By the 30-minute mark, Scotland were playing extremely on the edge, a point highlighted as the defender turned a midfielder shot narrowly off target. Yet Scotland reached the halftime still ahead. They were also robbed of a golden opportunity of a additional goal, a Danish defender cleverly taking out McGinn, earning a booking, after the midfielder capitalised on opposition mistakes.

Final Period Drama

The attacker made the keeper into a quick, down stop in 90 seconds of the restart. If Scotland were going to succeed, the half would seem like the decades since World Cup participation. Considering Denmark only needed a draw, the flow of traffic right from the onset of the half felt threatening for the home team. They were managing – to a point – in stopping Danish attacks but promptly giving the ball back to those in the away kit.

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

The referee originally saw no infringement with the captain's challenge on the winger on the angle of the box. In fact, it seemed Isaksen dived into the air. After being advised to look again by the video assistant referee, the referee pointed to the spot. Højlund blasted into the net. On the run of play, the equalizer was the least the away side merited but Scotland had reason to be upset about the call.

Final Drama

All this action-packed encounter lacked was a red card. It came on the hour, Kristensen second foul of the match on a attacking McGinn bringing a second caution. Now Clarke twisted by bringing on the strikers one substitute and Che Adams.

This decision was to prove effective. Denmark's marking of an inswinging Lewis Ferguson set piece was disorganized, allowing Shankland to score. The Hearts frontman, introduced for his attacking prowess, demonstrated exactly that. The Danish head coach Brian Riemer, though, had cause to be angry at how straightforward it was.

Scotland had little time to extend their lead. In moments, a Danish player stroked into the net after Andreas Christensen passed into his path inside the box from goal. On this occasion Scotland were too generous.

Adams flicked a shot off target. McGinn bending shot just missed the upright. Then came Tierney and a goal capable of win any match. The substitute provided the finish: from the midfield, no less.