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Scotland's national stadium has witnessed many memorable events throughout its rich history since 1903. Include this one to the annals. Scotland's extended wait has ended. The manager, the captain, the midfielder, the playmaker; you shall go to the ball. Along with them Kieran Tierney, whose curling strike from distance appeared to clinched success in a five-goal thriller before Kenny McLean produced an even more stunning fourth.

Almost 27 years of disappointment, during which the Scottish men's team have observed the World Cup from afar, were wiped away as Denmark suffered defeat in added time. Adult fans in traditional dress shed tears. The Danish participation in the next event hinges on March playoffs. Clarke and a suddenly giddy Scottish football community can begin planning definite plans.

PhD students could develop papers on how on earth Scotland achieved this. They seemed finished at points, as recently as Saturday when falling to a loss in Greece. It was like destiny had predetermined the Scots had endured sufficient for a place in the tournament. The actions of Tierney and the midfielder were extraordinary.

The Night Kicks Off

The evening had supposedly started in difficult circumstances for the home side. The defender, who had been due to play alongside Scott McKenna in central defence, was injured in the pregame. Grant Hanley stepped in. All setback was banished within three minutes.

It was among the most amazing finishes delivered at the stadium in modern history.

Ben Gannon-Doak maneuvered on the right flank. The Bournemouth winger’s floated pass was expected to be tricky for McTominay to navigate. He was with his back to the net, for starters. Rather, he catapulted himself into the air and landed an overhead kick beyond the reach of Kasper Schmeichel. This historic venue erupted, not just in acknowledgment of the early lead but the special context in which it came. Amazing.

Midfield Struggle

McTominay was performing like a player inspired. The young winger appeared explosive. The home team's danger shone in pushing forward aggressively; Craig Gordon saved from the Danish striker after the opposition forward was in alone. The offside flag was raised but Højlund could have survived a second check were it required. As a Danish player flashed a cross across the Scottish area and McKenna blocked effectively from another attacker, the Scots were in a contest to maintain their lead.

Gannon-Doak had unnerved the Danes with his speed. It felt a big setback to Clarke, then, as the player strained when attempting to stop a cross. He departed the pitch on a stretcher after just 20 minutes.

Højlund soon had the ball in the net but was called for a foul on the defender. By the half-hour, Scotland were living extremely dangerously, a point further emphasised as Hanley turned a midfielder drive just off target. Yet Scotland made it to the break still ahead. They were even denied of a great chance of a additional goal, Rasmus Kristensen cleverly taking out the midfielder, earning a yellow card, after the player took advantage of Danish slackness.

Second Half Drama

Højlund forced Gordon into a quick, low stop in a minute and a half of the restart. If Scotland were going to qualify, the half would be like the long wait since their last World Cup. Given Denmark only needed a tie, the direction of play from the onset of the half felt ominous for the home team. They were succeeding – somewhat – in breaking up Denmark attacks but promptly giving the possession right back to the players in red.

When the equaliser arrived, it came with the scent of cordite involved.

The official originally noticed no infringement with Robertson challenge on Gustav Isaksen on the angle of the box. Indeed, it appeared Isaksen flung himself into the ground. After being instructed to check by the VAR, the referee pointed to the spot. Højlund drilled home. On the balance, the equalizer was the minimum the away side merited but the hosts had reason to be angry about the call.

Late Drama

The only thing thrilling game lacked was a sending off. It came on the 60-minute mark, the defender's another infraction of the match on a marauding McGinn earning a second yellow card. Now Clarke twisted by throwing on the strikers Lawrence Shankland and another.

This decision was to work out. The Danish defending of an inswinging midfielder set piece was poor, allowing the striker to finish. The Hearts frontman, introduced for his goal-scoring ability, demonstrated exactly that. The Danish head coach the coach, though, had cause to be upset at how simple it was.

Scotland had no time to build on their lead. In a short time, a Danish player stroked home after Andreas Christensen laid into his way inside the box from the net. This time the defense were too generous.

The striker flicked a shot off target. McGinn bending shot just missed the upright. Then came Tierney and a goal fit to deciding the contest. The substitute provided the finish: from the halfway line, indeed.