By Emily Copeland

On a night where everything was on the line for Steve Clarke’s Scotland team. You could feel the nerves and tension among the 50,000 strong voiced members of the Tartan Army.

Clarke made two huge calls in his team selection. Lyndon Dykes started in attack along with Scott McKenna coming into the backline in the place of Grant Hanley, who later found himself back into the starting XI, due to a warm-up injury for John Souttar.

As the atmosphere built in and around the stadium you could tell the Tartan Army would be right up for it from the very start, and that they were. A rousing rendition of The Flower of Scotland, the loudest it has felt for a long time. From the moment the teams emerged from the tunnel, you could feel the anticipation rise through the fans as everyone stood united in the same nervous and excited feeling.

It was a fast start to the half for the Scots, who opened the scoring in outrageous fashion after just four minutes. Ben Doak picked the ball up on the right and crossed in for Scott McTominay who produced an outstanding overhead kick. Hampden erupted for the first time that evening with a sense of hope filtering through the Tartan Army in the stands.

Scott McTominay unleashes a spectacular overhead kick to open the scoring via Getty Images

With Denmark only needing a point to secure their World Cup place, it was not all fun and games for Scotland. The Danes missed some massive chances to equalise, but it was the home side who went in one up at the break after some great saves from Craig Gordon. The tensions rose amongst supporters in Hampden during the break. This Scotland side were a mere 45 minutes away from making history.

A lengthy VAR controversy got the second half off to a fast start. Denmark won a penalty, which Rasmus Hojlund powerfully dispatched from the spot for the equaliser.

This setback did not stop the Tartan Army from getting behind their team, creating an electric atmosphere inside the stadium. It was advantage Scotland as Denmark were reduced to ten men following what could be seen as a controversial second yellow card for Rasmus Kristensen.

Despite Denmark putting up a good fight while being down a player, Scotland found themselves ahead. Hearts striker Lawrence Shankland got the slightest of touches on a Lewis Ferguson corner to continue his fine goal-scoring momentum. This restored a short moment of belief back into the Scots as they headed into the final stages of the match.

Steve Clarke and his backroom team celebrate Scotland reaching the World Cup via Getty Images

With the Scots ahead once again with less than 10 minutes to go, the atmosphere went up a notch as the supporters got fully behind their team to spur them across the line.

It was very nearly heartbreak for Scotland as 10-man Denmark found themselves level once again, nine minutes from full time.

Never say never with Scotland, and with belief that one more chance would fall for the Scots, Celtic left-back Kieran Tierney put Scotland back ahead. The ball fell perfectly for Tierney to thunder his glorious strike from outside the box and send Hampden into a frenzy. Deep into stoppage time, it was now or never for Scotland as they battled with great defensive play right until the final whistle.

Kenny McLean celebrates scoring his goal from his own half via Getty Images

Despite being well past added time, Kenny McLean picked up the ball to see the Danes’ goalkeeper off his line before unleashing an unbelievable shot from his own half to send 50,000 Scots into euphoria as dreams finally came true. Nothing short of pandemonium awaited the fans as the full-time whistle went and the party really started, and reality kicked in.

It was without a doubt the best atmosphere Hampden has seen in a very long time. The stands were erupting, fans of all ages jumping and singing as Scotland booked their place at the 2026 World Cup. A night that will no doubt go down in the history books, a night when Scotland truly dared to dream.

We dared to dream: Scotland beat Denmark in dramatic fashion to head to the World Cup