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Scotland's national stadium has hosted numerous unforgettable events throughout its illustrious history dating back to 1903. Add this match to the record. The Scottish extended wait is over. The manager, the captain, Scott McTominay, John McGinn; you shall go to the ball. Along with them the defender, whose bending effort from distance appeared to clinched the win by the odd goal in five before the substitute produced an still more spectacular clincher.

Nearly 30 years of frustration, during which the Scottish men's team have observed the World Cup from the sidelines, were erased as the Danish team fell to a loss in stoppage time. Adult fans in traditional dress cried. The Danish qualification in next summer’s jamboree rests on playoff matches. The coach and a now jubilant Scottish football community can begin planning concrete plans.

Academics could write studies on how exactly the team achieved this. They appeared finished at points, just days before Saturday when suffering a loss in Greece. It was almost as if destiny had decreed the Scots had endured sufficient for a place in the tournament. The actions of Tierney and McLean were extraordinary.

The Match Begins

The evening had reportedly started in challenging fashion for the home side. John Souttar, who had been due to play alongside Scott McKenna in defense, was injured in the pregame. Grant Hanley stepped in. Any sense of problem was dispelled within the opening moments.

This was one of the most spectacular finishes scored at the stadium in living memory.

Ben Gannon-Doak jinked and weaved on the wing. His lofted delivery should have been tricky for the midfielder to handle. He was with his back to the net, to begin with. Rather, he launched himself into the air and landed an overhead kick beyond the reach of Kasper Schmeichel. This famous stadium exploded, not simply in recognition of the opening goal but the unique situation in which it arrived. Incredible.

Game Struggle

McTominay was playing like a driven individual. Gannon-Doak looked explosive. Scottish threat was evident in pushing forward too ferociously; Craig Gordon denied from the Danish striker after the Denmark forward was through on goal. The assistant's flag was up but Højlund might have been onside a further inspection if needed. As Mikkel Damsgaard flashed a cross across the Scottish goal and the defender deflected well from Victor Froholdt, the Scots were in a fight to hold their lead.

The winger had panicked the Danish team with his pace. It felt a significant setback to Clarke, at that point, as the Bournemouth man overstretched when trying to block a cross. He departed the field on a stretcher after just 20 minutes.

Højlund soon had the goal in the net but was called for a foul on Aaron Hickey. By the half-hour, Scotland were living extremely on the edge, a fact highlighted as Hanley deflected a midfielder drive narrowly wide. But they reached the break unscathed. They were even robbed of a excellent chance of a additional goal, a Danish defender cleverly taking out the midfielder, earning a booking, after the player capitalised on Danish carelessness.

Second Half Action

Højlund made the keeper into a quick, low stop within 90 seconds of the second half. If Scotland were going to do this, the half would feel like the long wait since the tournament. Considering Denmark only needed a draw, the flow of play from the onset of the second period felt threatening for the hosts. Scotland were succeeding – somewhat – in disrupting Danish offensives but immediately handing the possession right back to the players in red.

When the tying goal arrived, it came with the hint of cordite associated.

The official initially noticed no infringement with Robertson challenge on the winger on the edge of the box. Indeed, it appeared the player flung himself into the air. After being advised to review by the VAR, the referee awarded the spot. Højlund smashed into the net. On the overall play, the equalizer was the least the away side merited but Scotland had reason to be sore about the decision.

Late Drama

The only thing exciting encounter lacked was a red card. It came on the hour, the defender's another infraction of the night on a attacking McGinn earning another caution. Now Clarke made a change by introducing the strikers one substitute and another.

This decision was to prove effective. Denmark's defending of an curling Lewis Ferguson corner was disorganized, allowing the striker to finish. The Hearts frontman, introduced for his goal-scoring ability, produced exactly that. The Danish head coach the coach, however, had cause to be angry at how simple it was.

Scotland had no time to build on their lead. In a short time, Patrick Dorgu placed into the net after Andreas Christensen passed into his path inside the box from the net. This time the defense were too lenient.

Adams directed a header off target. McGinn bending attempt just missed the post. Enter the defender and a moment worthy to win the game. The substitute provided the finish: from the halfway line, no less.