Scotland finish with a flourish against Denmark to end 28-year World Cup wait

Scotland have qualified for their first World Cup in almost three decades after a dramatic night at Hampden.

A 4-2 victory over Denmark secured Scotland’s long-awaited return to the biggest stage in international football.

Here is the story of a night that will live long in the memory of Scotland fans.

The wait is over

The days of Scotland qualifying for five consecutive finals seem like a different lifetime and generations of fans had never experienced the feeling of elation that the final whistle signalled. Scotland are going to their ninth World Cup and their first since 1998.

On the right side of history

Scotland seem to encounter new forms of heartbreak in do-or-die occasions and another near miss was on the cards. Scotland were one up through Scott McTominay’s brilliant early opener when the Polish officials between them decided that Andy Robertson had brought down Gustav Isaksen on the 18-yard line. Robertson’s foot was definitely on the line, but whether Isaksen’s body was over the line seemed impossible to tell for sure. Scotland then managed to get themselves ahead after Rasmus Kristensen was sent off when Lawrence Shankland netted from close range. However, the 10 men of Denmark quickly levelled through Patrick Dorgu. But this time Scotland shed the tag of glorious losers thanks to stoppage-time stunners from Kieran Tierney and Kenny McLean.

The night heroes were made

Tierney is a player whose career has promised and indeed delivered so much at times and at other, prolonged moments, been severely disrupted by injury, not least during the last two European Championships. Whatever else he achieves in his international career he will forever be known as the man who stepped up when it mattered, to produce a moment of magic, just when it looked like his country were writing another chapter of disappointment in their history. The Celtic left-back joins the likes of Joe Jordan, Kenny Dalglish, Davie Cooper, Ally McCoist and Kevin Gallacher in netting crucial goals that helped put Scotland over the line when it really mattered.

Head under heels

The night will be remembered for not one but three of the great Hampden goals. McTominay stunned the Tartan Army when he launched himself up in the air to convert an overhead kick three minutes in. It was up there with Dalglish equalling Denis Law’s goalscoring record against Spain to set Scotland on their way to Mexico 86; James McFadden’s play-off winner against the Netherlands in 2003; reminiscent of, but superior to, an overhead kick scored by Maurice Johnston against Cyprus which helped Andy Roxburgh’s side on their way to Italia 90. A moment that will live forever in the memories of all the Scotland fans who witnessed it. But there were more to come. Tierney curled a wonderful 25-yard first-time strike past Celtic team-mate Kasper Schmeichel. Somehow, McLean, a a player who has had to win over his critics, then emulated his team-mates when he caught Schmeichel out of his goal from the halfway line to summon the perfect ending to an incredible night.

Scotland’s most successful manager

Steve Clarke wrote his name into the history books by becoming the first man to lead Scotland to three major tournaments. The 62-year-old follows Willie Ormond, Ally MacLeod, Jock Stein/Alex Ferguson, Roxburgh and Craig Brown in leading Scotland through a successful World Cup qualification campaign.

What happens next?

Scotland will enter the World Cup draw on Friday, December 5, with proceedings starting at 5pm UK time. There will be 12 groups of four in the extended tournament, which takes place across Mexico, United States and Canada from June 11 to July 19 next year.