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Scotland's national stadium has witnessed many historic events over its long history since 1903. Remember this match to the record. Scotland's protracted wait is over. The manager, the captain, the midfielder, John McGinn; they will be at the World Cup. So too Kieran Tierney, whose bending effort from distance looked like it had secured victory in a five-goal thriller until the substitute delivered an still more breathtaking fourth.

Nearly 30 years of heartache, during which the Scottish men's team have seen men’s World Cups from afar, were wiped away as the Danish team fell to a loss in injury time. Adult fans in traditional dress shed tears. Denmark's chance in next summer’s event rests on playoff matches. The coach and a suddenly giddy country can begin planning solid arrangements.

Researchers could write studies on how on earth Scotland accomplished this. They appeared finished at moments, as recently as the weekend when falling to defeat in Greece. It was like fate had decreed the Scots had waited long enough for a return to the World Cup. The interventions of Tierney and the midfielder were remarkable.

The Game Kicks Off

The night had reportedly opened in tough fashion for Scotland. John Souttar, who had been due to play alongside Scott McKenna in the back line, was injured in the warm-up. His replacement took his place. All disruption was banished in the opening moments.

It was one of the most wondrous finishes produced at the stadium in modern history.

Ben Gannon-Doak maneuvered on the right. The Bournemouth winger’s floated delivery should have been tricky for the midfielder to navigate. He was with his back to the net, to begin with. Instead, he catapulted himself into the sky and planted an scissor kick beyond the reach of the goalkeeper. This renowned venue roared, not just in appreciation of the first goal but the special situation in which it arrived. Amazing.

Game Contest

The Scottish midfielder was playing like a player inspired. The young winger seemed electric. Scottish threat was evident in attacking too ferociously; Craig Gordon blocked from Rasmus Højlund after the Denmark forward was through on goal. The offside flag was raised but Højlund could have survived a second check were it required. As a Danish player sent a ball across the Scotland goal and McKenna blocked well from another attacker, the home side were in a contest to keep their advantage.

The winger had panicked the Danes with his pace. It felt a major setback to the manager, then, as the player strained when trying to stop a cross. He left the scene on a medical cart after just the first half.

Højlund soon had the ball in the goal but was flagged for a push on Aaron Hickey. By the 30-minute mark, Scotland were living extremely recklessly, a point highlighted as Hanley deflected a midfielder drive narrowly wide. But Scotland made it to the break unscathed. They were also denied of a golden chance of a second goal, Rasmus Kristensen cleverly taking out McGinn, receiving a yellow card, after the player took advantage of Danish slackness.

Final Period Action

The attacker made Gordon into a quick, low stop in the opening moments of the restart. If the Scots were going to succeed, the half would be like the 27 years since World Cup participation. Given Denmark only required a tie, the direction of play from the onset of the half felt worrying for the home team. Scotland were succeeding – partially – in stopping Danish attacks but promptly giving the possession back to those in red.

When the tying goal came, it came with the whiff of controversy involved.

The referee originally saw no infringement with Robertson tackle on the winger on the angle of the penalty area. In fact, it appeared the player went down into the air. After being instructed to check by the video assistant referee, Szymon Marciniak pointed to the penalty spot. Højlund smashed into the net. On the run of play, the equalizer was the minimum Denmark merited but the hosts had reason to be upset about the call.

Late Drama

All this thrilling match lacked was a dismissal. It came on the hour, the defender's another infraction of the match on a attacking midfielder bringing a second yellow card. Now the coach made a change by throwing on the strikers one substitute and Che Adams.

This decision was to pay dividends. Denmark's defending of an curling Lewis Ferguson set piece was disorganized, allowing the striker to finish. The Hearts frontman, brought on for his goal-scoring ability, showed exactly that. The opposition manager Brian Riemer, though, had cause to be upset at how simple it was.

The home team had no time to build on their lead. In moments, a Danish player slotted into the net after Andreas Christensen laid into his path 12 yards from goal. On this occasion Scotland were too careless.

Adams directed a shot wide. The midfielder's bending shot just went past the upright. Enter Tierney and a goal worthy to win the game. The substitute sealed it: from the midfield, at that.