Scotland QUALIFY for the World Cup: Kenny McLean’s stunning halfway-line strike seals thrilling victory over Denmark in clash featuring VAR controversy, a red card and Scott McTominay’s overhead kick

Kieran Tierney and Kenny McLean scored twice in extra time as Scotland beat Denmark 4-2 to top Group C and qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 1998.

The result ended a 27-year wait for Scotland to return to the tournament and secured automatic qualification with the most important victory in a generation.

McLean’s spectacular goal from the midfield line in the 99th minute started the celebrations; The midfielder unleashed a pinpoint strike over Kasper Schmeichel to kick off the celebrations as Denmark pushed bodies forward and chased a third equalizer.

It followed Tierney’s pinpoint strike in the 93rd minute, on a night defined by dazzling goalscoring and constant swings in momentum.

The match started with a flying header from Scott McTominay before Denmark equalized through Rasmus Hojlund and Lawrence Shankland restored the advantage.

Patrick Dorgu equalized again, but Tierney and McLean resolved the issue late on when Hampden exploded.

Kenny McLean’s stunning strike from the halfway line secures Scotland qualification for the World Cup

Steve Clarke’s men came into the game needing a win to move past Denmark at the top of Group C

The win sealed Scotland’s return to the World Cup for the first time since France ’98 and continues the progress under Clarke, who has led his team to back-to-back European Championships.

Scotland captain Andy Robertson, who conceded Denmark’s first equalizing penalty, described the incident as the ‘craziest’ incident he had ever been involved in.

“We’re going to the World Cup, I can’t believe it,” he told the BBC. ‘This might be my last chance to go to the World Cup.

‘We talked about it so much about what it would be like and I couldn’t get it out of my mind all day.

‘I can’t wait to get back to Liverpool and share red wine with your dad!

‘This is amazing. The speech the coach made before the match was incredible. Over the years he has had big moments like Serbia and Ukraine.

‘Then let’s do another one,’ he said. The young people were very emotional. ‘To do this for him, for our staff and our families… is one of the best nights of my life.’

Scotland went into their final Group C fixture knowing only victory would secure qualification as they were given an unexpected lifeline at the weekend.

Scott McTominay opened the scoring with an incredibly acrobatic effort into the bottom corner.

McTominay’s Napoli teammate Rasmus Hojlund cleared things up for the visitors after the break

Heart captain Lawrence Shakland thought Scotland had completed the knockout round when he tapped in from close range in the 78th minute.

A 3-2 defeat to Greece in Piraeus looked to have ended their hopes, but Belarus’ shock draw in Copenhagen kept the group alive and moved things to Hampden.

McTominay opened the scoring three minutes later with a superb header from Ben Gannon-Doak’s cross, before the winger was forced to break down in tears just after the 20-minute mark.

Denmark equalized early in the second half when Hojlund converted after Robertson conceded a penalty.

The away team was reduced to ten men after Rasmus Kristensen received a soft second yellow card for a foul on John McGinn in the 61st minute; This decision angered Denmark and shifted the momentum towards the home team.

Scotland could have been forgiven for thinking mission accomplished when substitute Shankland headed in Lewis Ferguson’s corner in the 78th minute.

But just four minutes later United defender Dorgu grabbed the Dane’s second equalizer with a composed strike headed into Craig Gordon’s near corner.

However, in the 93rd minute, Kierney also took part in the unofficial ‘goal of the night competition’ and sent the ball to the goal from the edge of the penalty area.

Moments later McLean made amends with a superb effort from the halfway line as Denmark came forward.

But Manchester United defender Patrick Dorgu quickly restored parity with a shot close to the corner.

Kieran Tierney’s perfect strike in the 93rd minute was the goal that the guest team could not give up.

McLean put the icing on the cake with a stunning strike from the halfway line that sent Hampden Park into a frenzy.

More to follow.