Tierney & Kenny McLean Propels Scotland to FIFA World Cup with Nail-Biting Win Over Denmark

Scotland's national stadium has witnessed many unforgettable occasions throughout its illustrious history dating back to 1903. Include this game to the record. The Scottish long absence has concluded. The manager, Andy Robertson, the midfielder, the playmaker; they will be at the World Cup. So too the defender, whose curling effort from outside the box looked like it had sealed success by the odd goal in five before Kenny McLean produced an still more breathtaking final goal.

Almost 30 years of frustration, during which the Scottish men's team have observed men’s World Cups from a distance, were wiped away as Denmark suffered a loss in injury time. Grown men in kilts cried. The Danish chance in next summer’s jamboree hinges on qualifiers. The coach and a now giddy football nation can prepare solid plans.

Academics could develop work on how on earth Scotland pulled off this. They appeared finished at times, as recently as Saturday when falling to defeat in Greece. It was like someone, somewhere had decided the Scots had endured sufficient for a place in the tournament. The actions of the defender and McLean were incredible.

The Game Begins

The night had reportedly started in challenging circumstances for Scotland. The defender, who had been due to play alongside Scott McKenna in defense, was injured in the warmup. His replacement filled in. All problem was dispelled in the opening moments.

It was among the most spectacular goals delivered at Hampden in living memory.

The winger maneuvered on the right. His lofted pass should have been difficult for the midfielder to navigate. He was with his back to the net, to begin with. Instead, McTominay propelled himself into the sky and planted an overhead kick past the grasp of Kasper Schmeichel. This renowned old place erupted, not simply in recognition of the early lead but the unique situation in which it came. Incredible.

Game Battle

McTominay was performing like a man possessed. Gannon-Doak appeared electric. Scottish danger was evident in attacking with great intensity; Craig Gordon blocked from Rasmus Højlund after the opposition forward was through on goal. The assistant's flag was up but he could have been onside a second check if needed. As a Danish player sent a cross across the Scotland area and the defender deflected well from another attacker, the Scots were in a fight to maintain their advantage.

Gannon-Doak had panicked the Danish team with his pace. It felt a major setback to the manager, then, as the Bournemouth man strained when trying to block a cross. He left the field on a stretcher after only 20 minutes.

The striker shortly had the goal in the goal but was penalised for a push on Aaron Hickey. By the half-hour, Scotland were playing extremely dangerously, a point highlighted as Hanley deflected a midfielder shot narrowly wide. But they made it to the break unscathed. They were also denied of a golden chance of a two-goal lead, Rasmus Kristensen cleverly fouling the midfielder, earning a booking, after the player capitalised on opposition slackness.

Final Period Excitement

Højlund made Gordon into a quick, low save within a minute and a half of the second half. If the Scots were going to qualify, 45 minutes would feel like the 27 years since World Cup participation. Given Denmark only needed a tie, the direction of attacks right from the start of the half felt ominous for the home team. Scotland were succeeding – somewhat – in breaking up Denmark attacks but promptly handing the ball right back to those in the away kit.

As the tying goal arrived, it came with the hint of dispute involved.

The referee originally saw nothing wrong with the captain's tackle on Gustav Isaksen on the edge of the box. Indeed, it seemed Isaksen went down into the air. After being instructed to review by the video assistant referee, the referee awarded the penalty spot. Højlund blasted home. On the run of play, parity was the least Denmark merited but the hosts had cause to be upset about the call.

Late Heroics

All this action-packed encounter lacked was a red card. It came on the 60-minute mark, Kristensen another infraction of the match on a attacking McGinn bringing another yellow card. Now Clarke twisted by throwing on the strikers one substitute and another.

This decision was to prove effective. Denmark's marking of an inswinging midfielder corner was disorganized, letting the striker to finish. The substitute, introduced for his predatory instinct, showed exactly that. The Danish head coach Brian Riemer, however, had cause to be upset at how straightforward it was.

Scotland had no time to build on their lead. In moments, Patrick Dorgu stroked home after Andreas Christensen passed into his way from close range from goal. This time the defense were overly generous.

The striker flicked a shot off target. The midfielder's bending shot just missed the post. Then came Tierney and a moment capable of deciding the game. The substitute sealed it: from the midfield, at that.