🔗 Share this article

Scotland's national stadium has witnessed many memorable occasions over its illustrious history dating back to 1903. Add this game to the list. The Scottish protracted absence is over. The manager, the captain, the midfielder, the playmaker; they will be at the World Cup. So too the defender, whose swerving shot from distance appeared to secured the win by the odd goal in five until Kenny McLean produced an even more spectacular clincher.

Almost three decades of frustration, during which Scotland have observed the global tournament from afar, were erased as Denmark fell to defeat in added time. Adult fans in traditional dress wept. The Danish chance in the upcoming event hinges on playoff matches. The coach and a suddenly jubilant Scottish football community can prepare definite plans.

Academics could develop papers on the manner in which Scotland pulled off this. They appeared finished at moments, as recently as Saturday when falling to a loss in Greece. It was as though destiny had predetermined the Scots had endured sufficient for a place in the tournament. The interventions of Tierney and the midfielder were remarkable.

The Match Begins

The match had reportedly started in challenging fashion for the home side. John Souttar, who had been scheduled to play alongside the centre-back in the back line, was injured in the pregame. Grant Hanley filled in. All disruption was forgotten within the first few minutes.

This was among the most spectacular finishes delivered at Hampden in modern history.

The winger maneuvered on the right. The Bournemouth winger’s floated cross should have been tricky for McTominay to handle. He was facing away from goal, initially. Rather, McTominay launched himself into the air and executed an scissor kick beyond the reach of Kasper Schmeichel. This historic old place exploded, not only in appreciation of the opening goal but the unique context in which it occurred. Incredible.

Midfield Contest

The Scottish midfielder was playing like a man possessed. Gannon-Doak appeared electric. Scottish offense was evident in pushing forward with great intensity; Craig Gordon denied from the Danish striker after the Denmark forward was sent clean through. The assistant's flag was raised but he could have survived a second check if needed. As Mikkel Damsgaard flashed a ball across the Scottish area and the defender deflected well from Victor Froholdt, the home side were in a battle to maintain their advantage.

Gannon-Doak had rattled the Danes with his quickness. It felt a significant loss to the manager, then, as the player strained when trying to stop a pass. He left the pitch on a stretcher after only the opening period.

The striker soon had the ball in the goal but was called for a foul on Aaron Hickey. By the 30-minute mark, Scotland were living far too on the edge, a point further emphasised as Hanley deflected a midfielder shot narrowly off target. But they reached the break unscathed. They were even denied of a excellent chance of a second goal, a Danish defender smartly fouling the midfielder, receiving a booking, after the player took advantage of Danish carelessness.

Final Period Drama

Højlund made Gordon into a smart, low save within a minute and a half of the restart. If the Scots were going to do this, 45 minutes would seem like the decades since World Cup participation. Considering the visitors only needed a draw, the direction of attacks from the onset of the half felt threatening for the hosts. Scotland were managing – partially – in disrupting Denmark offensives but immediately giving the ball back to the players in the away kit.

As the equaliser came, it came with the hint of dispute attached.

The official initially saw no infringement with Robertson challenge on the winger on the edge of the box. Indeed, it appeared the player dived into the air. After being advised to review by the video assistant referee, Szymon Marciniak awarded the penalty spot. Højlund drilled home. On the balance, the equalizer was the minimum the away side deserved but the hosts had reason to be sore about the circumstances.

Final Action

All this action-packed encounter lacked was a dismissal. It came on the hour, the defender's second foul of the match on a marauding midfielder earning a second yellow card. Now Clarke made a change by introducing the strikers Lawrence Shankland and another.

The move was to prove effective. Denmark's marking of an curling Lewis Ferguson corner was poor, allowing the striker to strike. The substitute, brought on for his goal-scoring ability, produced exactly that. The Danish head coach Brian Riemer, however, had reason to be angry at how straightforward it was.

Scotland had no time to build on their advantage. Within three minutes, a Danish player placed home after a teammate laid into his way 12 yards from the net. This time Scotland were too generous.

Adams flicked a shot off target. McGinn curling attempt just missed the post. Enter Tierney and a goal fit to deciding the contest. McLean sealed it: from the halfway line, at that.