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Scotland's national stadium has been the stage for many historic occasions throughout its rich history since 1903. Remember this match to the record. Scotland's protracted wait has concluded. The manager, Andy Robertson, the midfielder, the playmaker; they will be at the World Cup. Along with them Kieran Tierney, whose swerving effort from 22 yards looked like it had sealed success in a five-goal thriller until Kenny McLean produced an more spectacular clincher.

Nearly 30 years of frustration, during which the Scottish men's team have observed the World Cup from afar, were wiped away as the Danish team fell to a loss in stoppage time. Supporters in kilts cried. The Danish qualification in next summer’s tournament rests on qualifiers. The coach and a suddenly giddy Scottish football community can start making solid arrangements.

PhD students could develop studies on the manner in which the team accomplished this. They appeared down and out at points, as recently as Saturday when suffering defeat in Athens. It was as though destiny had decreed the Scots had waited quite enough for a World Cup return. The contributions of the defender and McLean were extraordinary.

The Night Kicks Off

The evening had supposedly opened in challenging fashion for the home side. John Souttar, who had been scheduled to partner the centre-back in the back line, was hurt in the pregame. His replacement filled in. All problem was banished within three minutes.

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

The winger maneuvered on the wing. His floated delivery should have been tricky for the midfielder to control. He was facing away from goal, for starters. Instead, McTominay catapulted himself into the sky and planted an scissor kick beyond the reach of the goalkeeper. This famous venue exploded, not just in acknowledgment of the early lead but the special circumstances in which it arrived. Wow.

Game Battle

McTominay was performing like a man possessed. The young winger seemed explosive. Scottish offense was evident in pushing forward with great intensity; the goalkeeper saved from Rasmus Højlund after the Denmark forward was in alone. The assistant's flag was raised but he could have been onside a VAR review if needed. As a Danish player flashed a ball across the Scottish area and McKenna deflected effectively from another attacker, the home side were in a fight to maintain their lead.

Gannon-Doak had panicked the Danes with his speed. It felt a major blow to Clarke, then, as the Bournemouth man overstretched when trying to stop a pass. He departed the pitch on a medical cart after only 20 minutes.

The striker soon had the ball in the net but was penalised for a push on the defender. By the half-hour, Scotland were living extremely dangerously, a point underscored as Hanley deflected a midfielder drive just wide. Yet Scotland made it to the halftime still ahead. They were also robbed of a great opportunity of a two-goal lead, a Danish defender smartly taking out the midfielder, earning a yellow card, after the midfielder took advantage of Danish mistakes.

Final Period Drama

Højlund forced the keeper into a smart, down save within a minute and a half of the restart. If Scotland were going to qualify, 45 minutes would be like the 27 years since the tournament. Given the visitors only required a tie, the direction of play right from the onset of the half felt worrying for the hosts. They were managing – partially – in stopping Danish offensives but promptly handing the possession right back to the players in the away kit.

When the tying goal was scored, it came with the scent of dispute associated.

The referee originally noticed no foul with Robertson tackle on Gustav Isaksen on the edge of the penalty area. In fact, it appeared Isaksen flung himself into the ground. After being advised to look again by the VAR, Szymon Marciniak pointed to the spot. Højlund blasted into the net. On the run of play, the equalizer was the minimum Denmark earned but Scotland had reason to be upset about the decision.

Late Action

The only thing exciting encounter lacked was a sending off. It arrived on the 60-minute mark, Kristensen another infraction of the night on a marauding midfielder earning a second caution. Then the coach twisted by throwing on the forwards Lawrence Shankland and another.

The move was to work out. Denmark's defending of an inswinging Lewis Ferguson corner was disorganized, allowing Shankland to strike. The Hearts frontman, brought on for his predatory instinct, produced precisely that. The opposition manager Brian Riemer, however, had reason to be furious at how easy it was.

The home team had little time to extend their advantage. In moments, Patrick Dorgu stroked into the net after a teammate passed into his path inside the box from the net. On this occasion Scotland were overly lenient.

Adams flicked a header off target. The midfielder's bending shot just missed the upright. Then came Tierney and a goal worthy to win the game. McLean provided the finish: from the midfield, indeed.