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Scotland have secured their place on the World Cup finals for the primary time since 1998 after a dramatic 4-2 victory over Denmark, sealed by beautiful second-half stoppage-time objectives from substitutes Kieran Tierney and Kenny McLean.
Scott McTominay opened proceedings within the third minute with an excellent 12-yard overhead kick, however Steve Clarke’s aspect then confronted intense strain from the guests in a fiercely contested encounter marked by quite a few challenges.
Scotland centre-back John Souttar got here off with an harm, and Ben Gannon-Doak was stretchered off after 21 minutes. Rasmus Hojlund then equalised from the spot within the 57th minute, momentarily silencing the Tartan Military.
His teammate Rasmus Kristensen was despatched packing within the 61st minute for selecting up the second of two yellow playing cards and because the sport took yet one more twist, substitute Lawrence Shankland restored Scotland’s lead within the 78th minute just for Patrick Dorgu to degree three minutes later.
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Nonetheless, in six minutes of added time, Tierney fired in from 25 yards with McLean scoring from the midway line to prime Group C in one of many nice nights in Scotland’s historical past.
The packed-out nationwide stadium on a moist and bitterly chilly evening was at fever pitch for the winner-takes-all Group C fixture, albeit a draw would have suited the Danes, who started the evening one level forward of their opponents on the prime of the part.
Denmark’s shock 2-2 draw at dwelling to backside aspect Belarus on Saturday had given the Scots an computerized qualification lifeline, regardless of their 3-2 defeat in Greece on the identical evening.
There was group information drama earlier than the sport when Souttar pulled out with an harm.
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Dropped Grant Hanley returned to associate Scott McKenna, with striker Lyndon Dykes changing Che Adams whereas captain Andy Robertson received his ninetieth cap.
The house aspect received off to a blistering begin. McTominay’s objective was a murals, the Napoli midfielder rising 12 yards from objective to execute an ideal overhead kick from Gannon-Doak’s chipped cross.
The Danes had Hojlund again from illness and he raced clear 5 minutes later solely to see his shot saved by Craig Gordon however the offside flag was up.
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The transfer preceded heavy Denmark strain and there was extra harm woe for the Scots when Gannon-Doak was changed by McLean after showing to be injured as he stretched.
Hojlund had the ball within the web quickly afterwards however the objective was dominated out for a shove on right-back Aaron Hickey and the Napoli striker then got here shut with a few headers.
Scotland may hardly get out of their very own half and had been relieved to listen to Polish referee Szymon Marciniak’s half-time whistle.
Gordon saved a drive from Hojlund simply after the break as Denmark resumed their assault on the house objective.
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There was a prolonged penalty examine by VAR when Robertson tackled Gustav Isaksen on the fringe of the Scotland field and when referee Marciniak ultimately checked his monitor he pointed to the spot and Hojlund despatched Gordon the unsuitable approach with a assured spot kick to degree.
Denmark had been quickly decreased to 10 males, nevertheless, when already-booked Kristensen was proven a second yellow by Marciniak for a tug on John McGinn.
Instantly, Ryan Christie and Dykes had been changed by Che Adams and Shankland after which Hickey made approach for Tierney however Denmark remained in management.
When the Hearts skipper knocked in from Lewis Ferguson’s nook it turned the sport again within the Scots’ favour – however solely till Dorgu slid in an equaliser from 12 yards as the house aspect didn’t cope with one other cross.
Nonetheless, Hampden once more exploded in pleasure in added time when Tierney picked up a free ball 25 yards from objective and curled previous keeper Kasper Schmeichel and so as to add additional elation to the evening, McLean flighted the fourth in from the midway line.
