Kenny McLean scored from his own half with the last kick of the game as Scotland reached the World Cup for the first time since 1998. It was a night of so many emotions as Hampden Park as the hosts left it late to snatch a dramatic 4-2 victory. Scott McTominay opened the scoring after just three minutes with an acrobatic effort to send the packed crowd into a frenzy.

Scotland managed to hold their lead until half-time but were pegged back in the second half by a controversial penalty. Andy Robertson was judged to have fouled Gustav Isaksen inside the box, though replays suggested it took place just outside the area. Rasmus Hojlund stepped up and converted from the spot to silence the home fans and put Denmark back in control.

The visitors were later reduced in numbers when Rasmus Kristensen was shown a second yellow card, giving Scotland the advantage of an extra player.

But it looked like Steve Clarke’s side, who needed a victory to qualify for the World Cup, were going to be left heartbroken before Lawrence Shankland headed home in the closing minutes to restore their advantage.

The joy inside Hampden Park didn’t last long, though, with Patrick Dorgu slotting the ball into the net just moments later to pull Denmark level.

A tense atmosphere rippled through the crowd when five minutes of stoppage time were added on at the end of the second half.

Scotland huffed and puffed and eventually found the decisive breakthrough, with Kieran Tierney curling into the far corner to spark pure delirium in the stands and on the pitch.

It got even better with the very last kick of the game as McLean tried his luck from inside his own half, sensationally lobbing Kasper Schmeichel to put the result beyond any doubt.

The final whistle blew immediately afterwards, ensuring that Scotland will be playing at next summer’s World Cup to end their 28-year absence from the biggest stage in football.

It was a fitting end to a truly incredible game and there were emotional scenes on the pitch as the nation’s heroes revelled in their historic achievement.

Scotland captain Andy Robertson struggled to keep it together in his post-match interview, having been tasked with summing it all up.

“Never say die,” he told BBC Sport. “We just keep going right to the end and one of the craziest games. We put the country through it, but I’m sure it’s worth it. We’re going to the World Cup.

“I’ve hid it well, but today I’ve been in bits. I know the age I’m at, this could be my last chance to go to the World Cup.

“I couldn’t get my mate Diogo Jota out of my head today. We spoke so much about going to the World Cup. I know he’ll be smiling over me today. I’m so glad it’s ended up this way.

“This group of boys, this group of staff, it’s the best group I’ve been involved in. The manager’s speech before the game was unbelievable. He went through the big moments we’ve had.

“Qualifying for the Euros, he couldn’t quite remember, we were in Wunderbar. He said: ‘Let’s make it another one’.

“We were quite emotional. To do it for him, the staff and all our families, it’ll go down as one of the greatest nights of my life.”