Scotland have overcome all the heartache, trials and tribulations of their recent history to qualify for Euro 2020 in dramatic style against Serbia.The Scots had long become the butt of jokes on social media for their uncanny knack of bottling the big moments, owing to an absence from international tournaments since the 1998 FIFA World Cup.So, you could just imagine how nervous and anxious Scotland fans must have been feeling going into their do-or-die play-off with Serbia to reach next year's European Championships on Thursday.
Scotland start strongly vs Serbia
And yet, for the most part, Scotland looked to have raised two fingers to their status as bottlers by way of producing a sturdy and combative performance away to their Balkan competitors.
With some superb touches on the edge of the penalty area, Ryan Christie fired the Scots into the lead in the second half, directing a brilliant left-footed effort into the far bottom corner.
Scotland concede late equaliser
As a result, Steve Clarke's men entered the closing stages of their Serbia clash with Euro 2020 in their sights but sadly, Scotland just had to go and Scotland, didn't they?
There was heartbreak just as stoppage time was about to be announced when Real Madrid striker Luka Jovic, who was been starved of form in Spain, headed home a last-gasp equaliser.
You only had to look at the footage to see how desperately gutted the Scotland players were, so it's credit to them that, faced with the prospect of extra time, they stood resolute once again.
Penalty shootout
In fact, the scores remained locked at 1-1 throughout the 30 minutes of additional time, meaning that Scotland's hope of qualification lay in the hands of the lottery that is a penalty shootout.
Though, of course, there could be cause for optimism seeing as the Tartan Army had prevailed over Israel from 12 yards in order to qualify for the play-off final in the first place.
And after nine consecutive penalties were scored, Scotland did it again and booked themselves a place at Euro 2020 thanks to a brilliant save from David Marshall to deny Aleksandar Mitrovic.
You've got to feel for Marshall there. The poor shot-stopper was made to wait an agonising few seconds while VAR worked out whether he had stayed on his line to stop the Fulham striker.
However, that didn't neutralise the joy when Scotland's qualification was confirmed, booking themselves a place in their first international tournament in 22 years - and my entire lifetime.
It tees up a tantalising clash with England in the first round, reminiscent of their last appearance at the Euros in 1996, while Croatia and the Czech Republic make up the remainder of their group.
