🔗 Share this article

Hampden Park has hosted countless unforgettable events over its long history since 1903. Include this match to the annals. Scotland's protracted absence has ended. The manager, the captain, Scott McTominay, John McGinn; they will be at the World Cup. So too Kieran Tierney, whose swerving strike from 22 yards appeared to sealed success by the odd goal in five until Kenny McLean produced an more spectacular fourth.

Almost 27 years of heartache, during which Scotland have observed the World Cup from afar, were obliterated as the Danish team fell to a loss in added time. Grown men in traditional dress wept. The Danish participation in next summer’s tournament rests on playoff matches. The coach and a now ecstatic football nation can begin planning solid arrangements.

Researchers could develop papers on how on earth Scotland accomplished this. They seemed defeated at moments, just days before Saturday when falling to defeat in Athens. It was like fate had decided the Scots had endured sufficient for a return to the World Cup. The interventions of the defender and the midfielder were remarkable.

The Game Kicks Off

The match had reportedly opened in challenging fashion for Scotland. The defender, who had been due to partner Scott McKenna in central defence, was injured in the warmup. Grant Hanley filled in. All setback was banished within the opening moments.

It was one of the most amazing strikes scored at the stadium in living memory.

The winger dribbled and dodged on the right. The Bournemouth winger’s arched pass was expected to be tricky for McTominay to handle. He was with his back to the net, to begin with. Rather, McTominay launched himself into the air and executed an scissor kick beyond the grasp of Kasper Schmeichel. This renowned venue roared, not only in recognition of the first goal but the unique circumstances in which it came. Wow.

Midfield Contest

The Scottish midfielder was playing like a man possessed. The young winger seemed explosive. Scottish danger shone in pushing forward too ferociously; Craig Gordon blocked from the Danish striker after the Denmark striker was sent clean through. The offside flag was raised but Højlund might have survived a VAR review were it required. As Mikkel Damsgaard flashed a cross across the Scottish area and the defender blocked well from another attacker, the Scots were in a battle to hold their lead.

The winger had unnerved the Danes with his pace. It felt a major setback to Clarke, then, as the Bournemouth man strained when trying to block a cross. He left the field on a medical cart after just the opening period.

Højlund shortly had the goal in the goal but was penalised for a push on the defender. By the 30-minute mark, the team were playing very recklessly, a point underscored as Hanley deflected a midfielder shot just wide. Yet Scotland made it to the halftime without conceding. They were even robbed of a golden chance of a additional goal, a Danish defender smartly taking out the midfielder, receiving a booking, after the player took advantage of Danish mistakes.

Final Period Drama

Højlund made Gordon into a smart, low save within a minute and a half of the restart. If Scotland were going to do this, the remainder would feel like the decades since World Cup participation. Given the visitors only needed a draw, the flow of traffic from the start of the second period felt threatening for the home team. They were succeeding – to a point – in disrupting Danish attacks but immediately handing the possession right back to those in red.

When the tying goal was scored, it came with the whiff of controversy attached.

The referee initially saw no infringement with Robertson challenge on Gustav Isaksen on the edge of the box. Indeed, it appeared the player flung himself into the air. After being advised to look again by the VAR, the referee pointed to the spot. Højlund smashed home. On the overall play, the equalizer was the least Denmark deserved but the hosts had cause to be upset about the circumstances.

Final Drama

The only thing action-packed match was missing was a sending off. It arrived on the hour, Kristensen second foul of the night on a attacking midfielder earning another yellow card. Now Clarke twisted by throwing on the strikers one substitute and another.

This decision was to prove effective. Denmark's defending of an inswinging midfielder set piece was disorganized, allowing the striker to strike. The substitute, introduced for his attacking prowess, demonstrated exactly that. The Danish head coach the coach, though, had reason to be upset at how easy it was.

The home team had no time to build on their advantage. In three minutes, Patrick Dorgu slotted home after a teammate laid into his way 12 yards from goal. This time Scotland were too generous.

The striker directed a header off target. McGinn curling attempt narrowly missed the upright. Then came the defender and a goal fit to win the contest. The substitute provided the finish: from the midfield, indeed.