Hampden Park has hosted numerous memorable moments over its rich history dating back to 1903. Add this game to the record. Scotland's extended wait has ended. Steve Clarke, the captain, Scott McTominay, John McGinn; they will be at the World Cup. So too the defender, whose swerving effort from outside the box seemed to have sealed victory in a five-goal thriller until Kenny McLean executed an still more breathtaking fourth.
Almost 27 years of disappointment, during which Scotland have watched the World Cup from the sidelines, were obliterated as the Danish team suffered defeat in added time. Grown men in traditional dress shed tears. Denmark's qualification in the upcoming event hinges on qualifiers. The coach and a now jubilant football nation can start making concrete plans.
PhD students could produce studies on the manner in which Scotland accomplished this. They looked defeated at moments, no more recently than Saturday when suffering defeat in Athens. It was almost as if someone, somewhere had decided the Scots had waited long enough for a return to the World Cup. The interventions of the defender and McLean were incredible.
The Match Begins
The evening had supposedly opened in difficult fashion for the home side. John Souttar, who had been due to partner Scott McKenna in central defence, was hurt in the warmup. Grant Hanley filled in. All setback was dispelled in the first few minutes.
It was some of the most wondrous goals delivered at Hampden in modern history.
Ben Gannon-Doak dribbled and dodged on the right flank. The Bournemouth winger’s floated delivery ought to have been tricky for McTominay to handle. He was with his back to the net, for starters. Instead, he catapulted himself into the sky and landed an scissor kick past the grasp of the goalkeeper. This renowned old place roared, not just in acknowledgment of the opening goal but the unique situation in which it came. Incredible.
Midfield Struggle
The Scottish midfielder was playing like a player inspired. Gannon-Doak seemed electric. Scottish danger was evident in pushing forward too ferociously; the goalkeeper blocked from Rasmus Højlund after the opposition striker was in alone. The assistant's flag was up but Højlund may well have been onside a further inspection if needed. As a Danish player sent a ball across the Scotland area and the defender blocked well from Victor Froholdt, the home side were in a contest to keep their lead.
Gannon-Doak had panicked the Danes with his speed. It felt a significant setback to the manager, at that point, as the player strained when trying to stop a pass. He left the pitch on a medical cart after just the first half.
Højlund soon had the goal in the goal but was penalised for a foul on the defender. By the 30-minute mark, Scotland were living extremely dangerously, a fact further emphasised as the defender deflected a Pierre‑Emile Højbjerg drive just wide. Yet they reached the break unscathed. They were also denied of a great chance of a additional goal, a Danish defender cleverly taking out McGinn, receiving a yellow card, after the player capitalised on opposition mistakes.
Second Half Action
The attacker forced Gordon into a smart, low save in 90 seconds of the restart. If the Scots were going to succeed, the remainder would be like the long wait since the tournament. Considering the visitors only needed a draw, the direction of attacks right from the onset of the second period felt worrying for the home team. Scotland were managing – partially – in stopping Danish attacks but promptly handing the possession back to the players in the away kit.
When the equaliser arrived, it came with the hint of dispute attached.
The referee originally noticed no foul with the captain's tackle on the winger on the edge of the penalty area. Indeed, it appeared Isaksen flung himself into the air. After being instructed to check by the VAR, the referee pointed to the spot. Højlund drilled into the net. On the overall play, the equalizer was the least the away side deserved but Scotland had reason to be sore about the decision.
Late Drama
All this action-packed match was missing was a dismissal. It came on the 60-minute mark, Kristensen another infraction of the night on a attacking midfielder bringing another caution. Now the coach twisted by throwing on the strikers one substitute and Che Adams.
The move was to work out. Denmark's defending of an inswinging midfielder set piece was disorganized, letting Shankland to score. The Hearts frontman, introduced for his goal-scoring ability, showed exactly that. The Danish head coach Brian Riemer, though, had cause to be furious at how simple it was.
The home team had little time to extend their lead. In a short time, Patrick Dorgu stroked into the net after Andreas Christensen passed into his path from close range from goal. This time Scotland were overly lenient.
The striker flicked a shot wide. McGinn curling attempt just missed the post. Enter the defender and a goal capable of win the game. The substitute sealed it: from the midfield, indeed.
