Nathan Patterson wasn’t even born the last time Scotland featured at a World Cup.
But the Rangers full back scored one and set up another to move them a huge step closer to ending what will be a 24-year wait by the time Qatar 2022 comes around.
And to complete an eventful night in Chisinau he conceded a penalty which was then saved as Scotland earned the victory against Moldova that secured their play-off place.
Patterson netted his first international goal in only his third start to set Steve Clarke’s men on their way and the 20-year-old then set up Che Adams, who celebrated his first birthday the day after that France ’98 final when Scotland last competed at a Finals, for the second.
It was a comfortable night until Patterson conceded a penalty for handball but Craig Gordon came to the rescue to ensure there were no late nerves.
The win was fifth in a row for Scotland and means a sell-out Hampden can enjoy a party atmosphere when Denmark arrive at Hampden for the final Group F qualifier on Monday.
Patterson - the first Rangers player to score for Scotland since Steven Naismith a decade ago - will miss that after picking up a booking but will be back for the real action in the play-offs.
The Tartan Army might have been handed a paltry allocation of just 300 tickets but you would never have known it from the racket of the travelling support who snapped up home end briefs.
And they were almost celebrating the dream start when Che Adams had the ball in the net but celebrations were cut short by the offside flag.
There was a warning almost immediately at the other end when Moldova skipper Artur Ionita pulled a shot wide when he should have done better.
But it was bright from Clarke’s men and Stuart Armstrong sent a low effort into the keeper’s arms after good play from Billy Gilmour.
Moldova shot-stopper Stanislav Namasco was in fine form early on and pulled off saves to deny Gilmour, Armstrong and captain Andy Robertson who was clean through.
Scotland enjoyed had the lion’s share of possession but again survived a major scare midway through the first half.
Oleg Reabciuk swung in a great ball from the right and Ionita got on the end of it ahead of Liam Cooper but Gordon superbly saved his downward header.
Had Scotland conceded it could have turned into a real struggle but instead it was the visitors who grabbed that vital breakthrough before the break and what a goal it was.
The ball was played in to John McGinn inside the box and he showed great strength to hold it up before laying off to Patterson and he sent a brilliant left foot strike across the keeper.
There was a VAR check for offside which ensured a few moments of nerves but thankfully the goal stood and replays showed the correct decision.
And Scotland had a two-goal cushion 20 minutes into the second half and it was another well worked move.
McGinn was again involved in the build up with a lovely back heel into the path of Patterson who sent an inviting cross low across the box for Adams to prod home.
Scotland’s tails were up after that and Liam Cooper almost added a third with a header cleared off the line before Adams had another chalked off for offside.
Clarke should have been able to relax but then he knows it’s never that easy - and he had to survive some late drama.
Patterson was penalised for a handball after a VAR check but Gordon saved Vadim Rata’s spot kick and had Kieran Tierney to thank for a brilliant tackle at the rebound.
Here's five talking points from the Zimbru Stadium:
Cruising with Clarke
It’s now five wins in a row for the first time in 14 years when Alex McLeish was in charge in a run between May and October 2007.
And that statistic underlines the progress made under the national team boss after years in the doldrums and international wilderness.
The former Kilmarnock manager has helped Scotland make huge strides and, after leading Scotland to a first major tournament in 23 years, another play-off place is remarkable.
Clarke has instilled real belief in the squad and even with key men missing such as Lyndon Dykes, Grant Hanley, Scott McTominay and Ryan Christie he picked the team to get the job done.
Big Eck made it six wins on the spin during his sequence and that will be a tall order with Denmark up next but that game isn’t as important as the play-offs and if he can conjure up another couple of wins next March then he will further enhance his hero status in the eyes of a nation starved of success for so long.
Patt will do nicely
Nathan Patterson is regarded as hot property by Rangers after a £5 million Everton bid was laughed off during the last transfer window.
The Ibrox side want at least double that figure if they are to sell their full back and the Merseysiders could return in January.
And with speculation that Steven Gerrard - who described him as “one of the brightest prospects ever” - could return to his old club now that he has left for Aston Villa then a maiden international goal can only help boost his value.
The Light Blues won’t want to lose him but will be rubbing their hands at the prospect of a few quid being added onto his transfer fee if they do have to sell.
Evergreen Gordon still going strong
Exactly a year ago it was David Marshall who was the goalkeeping hero after THAT penalty save in the play-off final win over Serbia in Belgrade.
Footage of his heroics appeared throughout the day as fans relived that epic night and the celebrations that followed.
But Marshall has dropped out of the squad after losing his place at Derby County and it’s fellow veteran Craig Gordon who is Steve Clarke’s number one.
The Hearts man is two years older than his glove rival but the experienced keeper is still coming to his country’s rescue.
Moldova didn’t have too many chances but midway through the first half Gordon pulled off a brilliant point blank save at 0-0 to deny Artur Ionita and then saved the late penalty to avoid a nervy end.
Gordon was the only survivor from that ill-fated last trip to Chisinau but continues to show his quality.
To Holl and back
This is the first time Scotland have finished second in a qualifying group since 2003 but hopefully what happens next isn’t a repeat of 18 years ago.
On that occasion the mighty Holland were the opponents in a Euro 2004 play-off and a 1-0 Hampden win courtesy of James McFadden offered real hope.
But a 6-0 thrashing by Dick Advocaat’s side in the return in Amsterdam obliterated any hopes of going to Portugal.
Scotland have of course been in a play off since then with a better outcome after Serbia last year but that was courtesy of the Nations League rather than the conventional qualifying group.
Chisinau ghosts buried
Moldova away was one of the lowest points for the Scotland national team when they were held to a 1-1 draw during Euro 2004 qualification.
Steven Thompson scored an equaliser that night to ensured it wasn’t even more embarrassing but it proved the end of the road for Berti Vogts.
Bungling Berti was given a vote of confidence despite the defeat but quit after claiming he was subjected to disgusting abuse after that came including being spat on.
