🔗 Share this article

Scotland's national stadium has been the stage for numerous unforgettable occasions over its long history since 1903. Add this one to the list. Scotland's protracted absence has ended. The manager, Andy Robertson, the midfielder, John McGinn; you shall go to the ball. So too Kieran Tierney, whose curling effort from distance seemed to have secured victory in a high-scoring affair until Kenny McLean executed an still more spectacular fourth.

Almost three decades of heartache, during which the Scottish men's team have observed the World Cup from the sidelines, were erased as Denmark fell to defeat in added time. Adult fans in kilts wept. The Danish qualification in the next event rests on playoff matches. The coach and a now giddy football nation can start making solid plans.

PhD students could produce studies on the manner in which Scotland accomplished this. They looked finished at moments, as recently as the weekend when suffering defeat in Athens. It was like someone, somewhere had decided the Scottish team had endured sufficient for a World Cup return. The interventions of Tierney and McLean were incredible.

The Match Begins

The match had reportedly started in difficult circumstances for Scotland. John Souttar, who had been set to play alongside Scott McKenna in the back line, was hurt in the warm-up. Grant Hanley took his place. All problem was banished within the first few minutes.

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

The winger maneuvered on the right. His arched pass was expected to be challenging for the midfielder to navigate. He was with his back to goal, for starters. Rather, he launched himself into the sky and executed an scissor kick past the grasp of the goalkeeper. This renowned old place roared, not just in recognition of the early lead but the special context in which it came. Incredible.

Midfield Struggle

The Scottish midfielder was playing like a player inspired. The young winger appeared electric. Scottish threat resonated in attacking too ferociously; the goalkeeper saved from the Danish striker after the opposition forward was through on goal. The offside flag was up but he may well have survived a further inspection were it required. As a Danish player flashed a ball across the Scottish area and McKenna deflected effectively from Victor Froholdt, the home side were in a battle to maintain their advantage.

The winger had unnerved the Danes with his speed. It felt a significant blow to Clarke, then, as the player overstretched when attempting to stop a cross. He departed the pitch on a stretcher after just 20 minutes.

The striker soon had the goal in the net but was called for a foul on Aaron Hickey. By the half-hour, Scotland were playing very recklessly, a fact highlighted as Hanley turned a midfielder shot just wide. Yet they reached the break unscathed. They were also denied of a great chance of a additional goal, Rasmus Kristensen smartly taking out McGinn, receiving a booking, after the midfielder capitalised on opposition carelessness.

Second Half Excitement

The attacker forced the keeper into a quick, low stop within 90 seconds of the restart. If the Scots were going to do this, the remainder would be like the 27 years since the tournament. Considering the visitors only required a draw, the flow of play right from the onset of the second period felt ominous for the home team. Scotland were managing – partially – in stopping Danish attacks but promptly handing the possession back to those in the away kit.

As the equaliser arrived, it came with the whiff of controversy involved.

The referee originally noticed no foul with the captain's tackle on the winger on the edge of the box. In fact, it appeared the player went down into the ground. After being instructed to review by the video assistant referee, Szymon Marciniak awarded the penalty spot. The striker drilled home. On the balance, the equalizer was the least the away side merited but the hosts had reason to be sore about the call.

Late Action

The only thing exciting match lacked was a red card. It came on the 60-minute mark, the defender's second foul of the night on a marauding midfielder earning another yellow card. Then Clarke made a change by introducing the forwards Lawrence Shankland and Che Adams.

The move was to pay dividends. Denmark's marking of an curling midfielder corner was poor, allowing Shankland to score. The Hearts frontman, brought on for his attacking prowess, produced exactly that. The opposition manager Brian Riemer, though, had reason to be angry at how simple it was.

The home team had no time to extend their lead. In moments, Patrick Dorgu placed into the net after a teammate passed into his path 12 yards from the net. This time the defense were overly lenient.

The striker directed a header off target. McGinn curling attempt narrowly missed the post. Then came Tierney and a goal worthy to win any match. McLean added gloss: from the center circle, indeed.