Scotland 4-2 Denmark: Hosts into World Cup through dramatic 6-goal thriller

Scotland will go to the men's World Cup for the first time in 28 years after two stoppage-time goals on an astonishing night of drama sunk Denmark at a bouncing Hampden Park.

Match Report

Challenged by Steve Clarke – who is first head coach to lead the Scots to three major tournaments – to play with "the anticipation of success, not the fear of failure," the boys in dark blue rose to the mantle on this monumental night.

Inside three minutes, Scott McTominay leapt to a ludicrous height to direct the ball beyond Kasper Schmeichel with an outrageous overhead kick.

It sent a packed Hampden into cacophonous raptures, but such has been the pain this place has seen over the years, there was the overwhelming concern the lead had come too early.

The Danes, who dropped an unlikely point at home to Belarus on Saturday to set up this nail-biting showdown, repeatedly pushed for an equaliser.

Rasmus Hojlund found one from the spot after Scotland captain Andy Robertson was judged to have fouled Gustav Isaksen inside the box after an agonisingly long VAR review.

The Scots, who continued to lean on the luck which has carried them through this rollercoaster campaign, were handed another lifeline when Rasmus Kristensen was sent off for a soft second booking.

The Hampden crowd was roused, and was on its feet when substitute Lawrence Shankland stabbed home his fourth international goal with just over 10 minutes of a nerve-wracking 90 left. 'Keep the heid' territory was entered.

Instead, the fans were hushed when Patrick Dorgu too easily swept home minutes later. But this is a group, a generation, who have suffered many disappointments along the road. They were resolved tonight wouldn't be another.

Celtic full-back Kieran Tierney lashed home a spectacular long-range effort three minutes into added-time to make the two-decade long dream in waiting a reality.

And there was still time for Kenny McLean to find the net from his own half as Scotland ended their World Cup hoodoo in the most incredulous of fashions.

Match Events

0' The match is about to start!

4' GOAL! Scotland 1-0 Denmark

9' Match Event for Scotland vs Denmark

22' Match Event for Scotland vs Denmark

24' Match Event for Scotland vs Denmark

29' Highlight from Scotland vs Denmark

58' Penalty Goal! Scotland 1-1 Denmark

65' Red Card! Rasmus Kristensen Sent Off

78' GOAL! Scotland 2-1 Denmark (Lawrence Shankland)

82' GOAL! Scotland 2-2 Denmark

88' Match Event for Scotland vs Denmark

93' GOAL! Scotland 3-2 Denmark (Kieran Tierney)

98' GOAL! Scotland 4-2 Denmark

Line-ups

Scotland XI: Craig Gordon, Hanley, Robertson, McGinn, Ryan Christie, Scott McKenna, Lyndon Dykes, McTominay, Lewis Ferguson, Aaron Hickey, Ben Gannon-Doak

Subs: McLean, Scott Bain, Lawrence Shankland, Liam Kelly, Tierney, Adams, Jack Hendry, Anthony Ralston, George Hirst, Andrew Irving, Connor Barron

Denmark XI: Schmeichel, Hojbjerg, Christensen, Andersen, Rasmus Kristensen, Mikkel Damsgaard, Morten Hjulmand, Gustav Isaksen, Højlund, Patrick Dorgu, Victor Froholdt

Subs: Eriksen, Vestergaard, Christian Nørgaard, Billing, Larsen, N. Nartey, Matt O'Riley, Jonas Wind, Jørgensen, Mads Hermansen, Mika Biereth, Lucas Høgsberg