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Scotland's national stadium has been the stage for many unforgettable events over its rich history since 1903. Remember this one to the record. The Scottish long drought is over. Steve Clarke, the captain, the midfielder, the playmaker; they will be at the World Cup. Along with them the defender, whose swerving strike from 22 yards seemed to have clinched victory in a five-goal thriller before Kenny McLean delivered an still more spectacular fourth.

Nearly 30 years of disappointment, during which Scotland have observed the global tournament from afar, were obliterated as Denmark suffered defeat in stoppage time. Grown men in kilts wept. Denmark's participation in the next event depends on qualifiers. Clarke and a now jubilant country can begin planning definite arrangements.

Researchers could write studies on how on earth Scotland pulled off this. They looked defeated at moments, just days before Saturday when falling to defeat in Athens. It was like fate had decided the Scottish team had waited quite enough for a return to the World Cup. The contributions of the defender and the midfielder were extraordinary.

The Match Begins

The evening had reportedly opened in challenging circumstances for the home side. John Souttar, who had been set to play alongside the centre-back in defense, was injured in the pregame. His replacement took his place. All problem was banished within the opening moments.

It was some of the most spectacular goals delivered at the stadium in recent times.

Ben Gannon-Doak maneuvered on the right. His arched delivery ought to have been challenging for the midfielder to control. He was with his back to goal, initially. Instead, McTominay propelled himself into the sky and executed an overhead kick beyond the grasp of the goalkeeper. This famous old place exploded, not only in recognition of the first goal but the remarkable context in which it arrived. Incredible.

Midfield Battle

The Scottish midfielder was performing like a player inspired. The young winger seemed dynamic. The home team's offense was evident in pushing forward aggressively; Craig Gordon denied from Rasmus Højlund after the Denmark forward was sent clean through. The offside flag was raised but Højlund may well have been onside a VAR review if needed. As Mikkel Damsgaard flashed a ball across the Scotland goal and the defender blocked effectively from another attacker, the home side were in a contest to maintain their lead.

The winger had unnerved the Danes with his pace. It felt a significant setback to the manager, at that point, as the player overstretched when attempting to block a cross. He left the pitch on a medical cart after only the first half.

The striker shortly had the ball in the goal but was penalised for a foul on Aaron Hickey. By the half-hour, the team were playing very dangerously, a point highlighted as the defender deflected a midfielder shot narrowly off target. But Scotland made it to the break unscathed. They were also denied of a golden chance of a additional goal, Rasmus Kristensen smartly fouling McGinn, receiving a yellow card, after the midfielder took advantage of opposition carelessness.

Final Period Drama

The attacker made the keeper into a smart, down save in the opening moments of the restart. If Scotland were going to qualify, 45 minutes would be like the long wait since the tournament. Considering the visitors only needed a draw, the direction of play from the onset of the second period felt threatening for the hosts. They were succeeding – somewhat – in stopping Danish attacks but promptly giving the possession right back to those in the away kit.

As the equaliser came, it came with the scent of controversy attached.

The official originally noticed nothing wrong with Robertson challenge on the winger on the angle of the penalty area. Indeed, it appeared Isaksen went down into the ground. After being instructed to review by the video assistant referee, the referee awarded the penalty spot. The striker drilled home. On the balance, parity was the least Denmark merited but the hosts had reason to be upset about the decision.

Final Drama

All this exciting game lacked was a sending off. It came on the 60-minute mark, Kristensen another infraction of the night on a marauding McGinn earning another caution. Now the coach twisted by bringing on the forwards one substitute and Che Adams.

The move was to work out. The Danish defending of an curling midfielder set piece was shambolic, letting the striker to score. The Hearts frontman, introduced for his goal-scoring ability, produced exactly that. The Danish head coach Brian Riemer, however, had cause to be angry at how straightforward it was.

Scotland had no time to extend their advantage. In three minutes, Patrick Dorgu placed into the net after a teammate passed into his path 12 yards from goal. This time the defense were overly careless.

Adams flicked a shot off target. The midfielder's bending attempt just went past the post. Then came Tierney and a goal capable of deciding any match. The substitute sealed it: from the center circle, no less.