🔗 Share this article

Hampden Park has witnessed countless historic occasions over its long history since 1903. Include this game to the annals. The Scottish protracted absence is over. The manager, Andy Robertson, the midfielder, the playmaker; you shall go to the ball. Along with them the defender, whose curling effort from distance looked like it had clinched victory by the odd goal in five before Kenny McLean delivered an even more spectacular fourth.

Almost 30 years of disappointment, during which Scotland have watched the global tournament from the sidelines, were wiped away as the Danish team suffered defeat in added time. Supporters in traditional dress shed tears. The Danish chance in next summer’s event rests on qualifiers. The coach and a suddenly ecstatic country can prepare definite plans.

Researchers could produce work on the manner in which the team achieved this. They looked finished at times, just days before Saturday when suffering defeat in Greece. It was like someone, somewhere had predetermined the Scots had waited long enough for a return to the World Cup. The contributions of the defender and the midfielder were incredible.

The Game Unfolds

The evening had reportedly opened in difficult fashion for Scotland. The defender, who had been set to play alongside the centre-back in defense, was injured in the pregame. Grant Hanley filled in. All setback was dispelled in three minutes.

It was among the most wondrous finishes produced at Hampden in modern history.

The winger maneuvered on the wing. The Bournemouth winger’s arched cross was expected to be difficult for the midfielder to control. He was facing away from goal, for starters. Rather, McTominay catapulted himself into the sky and planted an scissor kick beyond the grasp of the goalkeeper. This famous old place roared, not only in recognition of the first goal but the special situation in which it occurred. Incredible.

Midfield Contest

McTominay was performing like a driven individual. Gannon-Doak seemed electric. Scottish danger was evident in attacking aggressively; Craig Gordon blocked from Rasmus Højlund after the opposition forward was in alone. The offside flag was up but Højlund might have been onside a VAR review if it had been necessary. As a Danish player sent a ball across the Scotland goal and the defender blocked effectively from another attacker, the home side were in a battle to keep their lead.

The winger had panicked the Danes with his quickness. It felt a significant loss to Clarke, at that point, as the Bournemouth man strained when trying to stop a cross. He left the scene on a medical cart after just the first half.

Højlund shortly had the goal in the goal but was flagged for a push on the defender. By the 30-minute mark, Scotland were living far too dangerously, a point highlighted as Hanley turned a midfielder shot just wide. But they reached the halftime without conceding. They were even robbed of a great opportunity of a second goal, Rasmus Kristensen smartly fouling McGinn, earning a yellow card, after the player capitalised on Danish mistakes.

Second Half Drama

Højlund made the keeper into a quick, down save within a minute and a half of the restart. If Scotland were going to qualify, the half would be like the 27 years since the tournament. Given the visitors only required a tie, the direction of traffic right from the start of the half felt threatening for the hosts. They were succeeding – to a point – in stopping Denmark offensives but promptly giving the possession back to those in the away kit.

When the equaliser arrived, it came with the hint of dispute associated.

The official initially saw no infringement with the captain's tackle on the winger on the edge of the box. In fact, it appeared Isaksen went down into the ground. After being instructed to check by the VAR, Szymon Marciniak awarded the spot. Højlund smashed into the net. On the overall play, parity was the minimum the away side merited but Scotland had reason to be sore about the circumstances.

Final Drama

All this action-packed match lacked was a dismissal. It arrived on the 60-minute mark, the defender's second foul of the match on a attacking McGinn earning another caution. Now the coach twisted by introducing the forwards Lawrence Shankland and another.

This decision was to prove effective. The Danish defending of an curling midfielder set piece was disorganized, letting the striker to strike. The substitute, introduced for his attacking prowess, showed precisely that. The opposition manager Brian Riemer, though, had cause to be upset at how easy it was.

The home team had little time to build on their advantage. Within moments, Patrick Dorgu placed home after Andreas Christensen passed into his way from close range from the net. This time Scotland were overly generous.

Adams flicked a header wide. The midfielder's curling shot just went past the upright. Enter Tierney and a moment worthy to win any match. The substitute added gloss: from the center circle, no less.