Scotland's national stadium has been the stage for many historic moments throughout its rich history since 1903. Add this game to the annals. The Scottish long drought has ended. The manager, the captain, Scott McTominay, the playmaker; they are headed to the tournament. So too Kieran Tierney, whose swerving shot from 22 yards seemed to have sealed victory by the odd goal in five before the substitute delivered an more breathtaking fourth.
Almost 27 years of frustration, during which the Scottish men's team have seen the World Cup from the sidelines, were obliterated as the Danish team suffered defeat in stoppage time. Grown men in kilts shed tears. The Danish participation in the next tournament depends on playoff matches. Clarke and a suddenly giddy football nation can prepare definite plans.
Academics could produce papers on the manner in which Scotland accomplished this. They seemed down and out at points, just days before Saturday when suffering defeat in Greece. It was as though someone, somewhere had decreed the Scots had waited long enough for a place in the tournament. The contributions of the defender and the midfielder were incredible.
The Match Begins
The night had apparently started in difficult fashion for Scotland. John Souttar, who had been set to partner the centre-back in the back line, was hurt in the pregame. Grant Hanley took his place. Any sense of problem was banished in the first few minutes.
It was among the most spectacular strikes produced at the stadium in modern history.
The winger dribbled and dodged on the wing. The Bournemouth winger’s floated cross was expected to be tricky for McTominay to navigate. He was facing away from goal, initially. Rather, McTominay launched himself into the sky and planted an bicycle kick beyond the reach of Kasper Schmeichel. This renowned venue exploded, not simply in acknowledgment of the opening goal but the remarkable situation in which it arrived. Amazing.
Game Battle
McTominay was performing like a player inspired. Gannon-Doak appeared electric. The home team's offense shone in going on the offensive too ferociously; the goalkeeper blocked from the Danish striker after the Denmark striker was in alone. The offside flag was raised but Højlund might have survived a second check were it required. As a Danish player sent a cross across the Scottish area and the defender blocked well from Victor Froholdt, the Scots were in a fight to keep their advantage.
Gannon-Doak had unnerved the Danes with his quickness. It felt a significant blow to the manager, then, as the player strained when attempting to block a pass. He left the pitch on a stretcher after just the first half.
The striker soon had the ball in the goal but was called for a foul on Aaron Hickey. By the half-hour, the team were playing very recklessly, a fact further emphasised as Hanley turned a midfielder drive just wide. Yet Scotland made it to the break unscathed. They were also denied of a excellent opportunity of a second goal, a Danish defender cleverly fouling the midfielder, receiving a yellow card, after the midfielder capitalised on Danish carelessness.
Second Half Action
The attacker forced Gordon into a smart, low stop within 90 seconds of the restart. If Scotland were going to qualify, the remainder would feel like the decades since the tournament. Given the visitors only required a draw, the direction of traffic from the start of the second period felt worrying for the hosts. They were managing – partially – in stopping Denmark attacks but immediately handing the possession back to the players in red.
When the equaliser arrived, it came with the whiff of dispute involved.
The referee initially noticed nothing wrong with the captain's tackle on the winger on the edge of the penalty area. Indeed, it seemed Isaksen flung himself into the air. After being instructed to check by the video assistant referee, Szymon Marciniak pointed to the spot. Højlund smashed home. On the balance, parity was the minimum the away side earned but Scotland had reason to be sore about the decision.
Final Action
All this action-packed match lacked was a sending off. It came on the 60-minute mark, Kristensen second foul of the match on a attacking midfielder earning a second caution. Now the coach made a change by introducing the forwards Lawrence Shankland and another.
The move was to pay dividends. The Danish defending of an inswinging midfielder set piece was disorganized, letting the striker to score. The Hearts frontman, introduced for his attacking prowess, showed precisely that. The opposition manager the coach, though, had reason to be furious at how easy it was.
Scotland had little time to extend their lead. In moments, a Danish player slotted into the net after a teammate passed into his path 12 yards from the net. This time Scotland were too careless.
The striker directed a shot off target. McGinn bending attempt just went past the post. Then came the defender and a goal worthy to deciding any match. McLean sealed it: from the midfield, no less.
