🔗 Share this article

Hampden Park has witnessed many historic events over its rich history dating back to 1903. Remember this one to the list. Scotland's extended drought is over. The manager, the captain, Scott McTominay, the playmaker; they will be at the World Cup. Along with them the defender, whose curling shot from outside the box seemed to have clinched victory in a high-scoring affair until Kenny McLean executed an more breathtaking fourth.

Almost 30 years of frustration, during which the Scottish men's team have observed the global tournament from a distance, were obliterated as Denmark fell to defeat in injury time. Supporters in kilts cried. The Danish participation in the upcoming jamboree depends on March playoffs. Clarke and a suddenly jubilant Scottish football community can prepare definite arrangements.

Researchers could produce papers on how exactly the team pulled off this. They appeared down and out at points, no more recently than the weekend when suffering a loss in Greece. It was almost as if destiny had predetermined the Scots had waited quite enough for a place in the tournament. The actions of the defender and McLean were incredible.

The Match Unfolds

The match had apparently opened in difficult circumstances for Scotland. John Souttar, who had been set to partner the centre-back in defense, was hurt in the warmup. His replacement filled in. All disruption was forgotten within the opening moments.

It was among the most spectacular finishes produced at the stadium in living memory.

Ben Gannon-Doak maneuvered on the right flank. His floated pass was expected to be tricky for the midfielder to handle. He was with his back to goal, for starters. Rather, McTominay launched himself into the sky and landed an overhead kick beyond the grasp of Kasper Schmeichel. This historic venue erupted, not only in appreciation of the first goal but the remarkable circumstances in which it occurred. Wow.

Midfield Contest

The Scottish midfielder was playing like a man possessed. The young winger appeared explosive. Scottish offense was evident in going on the offensive too ferociously; the goalkeeper blocked from Rasmus Højlund after the Denmark forward was sent clean through. The assistant's flag was up but he may well have been onside a second check if it had been necessary. As a Danish player sent a ball across the Scottish area and the defender deflected effectively from Victor Froholdt, the Scots were in a contest to hold their lead.

Gannon-Doak had rattled the Danish team with his speed. It felt a major setback to Clarke, at that point, as the player strained when attempting to stop a pass. He departed the field on a medical cart after just the first half.

Højlund shortly had the ball in the goal but was called for a push on the defender. By the half-hour, Scotland were playing very dangerously, a fact highlighted as Hanley deflected a midfielder drive narrowly wide. Yet they made it to the halftime still ahead. They were also denied of a excellent chance of a additional goal, a Danish defender cleverly fouling McGinn, receiving a booking, after the player capitalised on opposition slackness.

Second Half Action

The attacker made the keeper into a sharp, down stop in 90 seconds of the restart. If Scotland were going to qualify, the half would be like the decades since the tournament. Considering the visitors only needed a tie, the flow of traffic from the start of the half felt worrying for the home team. They were succeeding – somewhat – in stopping Danish offensives but promptly handing the ball back to those in the away kit.

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

The official initially saw no foul with the captain's tackle on Gustav Isaksen on the angle of the box. Indeed, it seemed Isaksen went down 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 balance, parity was the minimum Denmark earned but Scotland had cause to be upset about the circumstances.

Late Drama

All this thrilling encounter lacked was a red card. It arrived on the 60-minute mark, Kristensen another infraction of the night on a marauding midfielder earning a second yellow card. Now Clarke made a change by bringing on the strikers one substitute and another.

The move was to work out. The Danish marking of an curling midfielder set piece was poor, letting Shankland to score. The Hearts frontman, brought on for his predatory instinct, demonstrated precisely that. The Danish head coach the coach, though, had reason to be furious at how simple it was.

The home team had no time to extend their lead. Within a short time, a Danish player placed into the net after Andreas Christensen passed into his way inside the box from the net. This time Scotland were overly lenient.

The striker directed a shot wide. McGinn bending shot just went past the post. Enter the defender and a strike capable of deciding any match. McLean sealed it: from the center circle, at that.