Kenny McLean scored with the final kick from his own half, taking Scotland to their first World Cup since 1998. It was a night filled with so many emotions at Hampden Park as the hosts delayed the game to snatch a dramatic 4-2 victory. Scott McTominay opened the scoring just three minutes later with an acrobatic shot that sent the capacity crowd into a frenzy.
Scotland managed to hold the lead until half-time, but were nailed down again by a controversial penalty in the second half. Andy Robertson was adjudged to have committed a foul on Gustav Isaksen inside the penalty area, although replays suggested the foul was committed just outside the area. Rasmus Højlund stepped up and converted from the spot, silencing the home fans and putting Denmark back in the lead.
A second yellow card for Rasmus Christensen then reduced the numbers for the visitors, giving Scotland an extra man advantage.
But Steve Clarke’s side, needing a win to qualify for the World Cup, looked set to suffer a heartbreak before Lawrence Shankland restored their advantage by heading home in the dying minutes.
However, the jubilation inside Hampden Park was short-lived as Patrick Dawg curled the ball into the net moments later to equalize for Denmark.
When five minutes of added time were added to the second half, a tense atmosphere rippled through the crowd.
Scotland held its breath and finally made a decisive breakthrough. Kieran Tierney curled up in the far corner, causing pure excitement in the stands and on the pitch.
Things got even better with the final kick of the match, when MacLean tried his luck from inside his own half and delivered a sensational lob at Kasper Schmeichel that put the result beyond doubt.
The final whistle sounded moments later, confirming Scotland’s place in next summer’s World Cup, ending a 28-year absence from football’s biggest stage.
It was a fitting end to a truly great match, and there were emotional scenes on the pitch as the country’s heroes celebrated their historic achievement.
Scotland captain Andy Robertson was tasked with summing it all up in his post-match interview, but struggled to get his story together.
“I never say I’m going to die,” he told BBC Sport. “We just keep fighting until the end, one of the craziest games. We put the country through this game and I’m sure it was worth it. We’ll go to the World Cup.
“I’ve been hiding it well, but I didn’t feel well today. Considering my age, I know this might be my last chance to go to the World Cup.”
“I couldn’t get my mate Diogo Jota out of my mind today. We talked a lot about going to the World Cup and I’m sure he’ll be smiling at me today. I’m really happy for this result.”
“This group of players, this group of staff, this is the best group I’ve been around. Coach’s speech before the game was unbelievable. He got us through the big moments we had.”
“When we qualified for the Euros, he can’t remember it completely, but when we were in Wundervaal he said, ‘Let’s do one more.’
“We were very emotional. It will be remembered as one of the best nights of my life because we were able to do it for him, the staff and our entire family.”
