Almost half the population of Scotland tuned in to live coverage of the national side's Euro 2020 qualifying penalty shootout win over Serbia, it has been revealed.
Figures revealed television audience numbers for the game in Belgrade - which was made free to air by Sky Sports - soared to around 2.6 million at 10:20pm - just as extra time ended with the scored locked at 1-1.
It means just under 50 per cent of Scotland's estimated 5.46 million people watched David Marshall save from Aleksandar Mitrovic to send Steve Clarke'e men to their first international tournament since the 1998 World Cup.
According to data released by Sky, the 2.6m peak audience helped to deliver a remarkable 63 per cent audience share in Scotland, making it the most watched programme during that time slot in the country.
It was well-ahead of Northern Ireland's extra-time defeat to Slovakia, which attracted a peak audience of just over 563,000.
Scenes of celebration were filmed across the country as fans boogied to mark their return to the international tournament stage in anticipation of a date with destiny at Wembley against England on June 18.
The Tartan Army remain hopeful of seeing their heroes in the flesh in two other 'home' group games at Hampden with the Czech Republic and Croatia set to arrive in Glasgow.
Sky UK and Europe CEO Stephen Van Rooyen said: “This was a night of unforgettable memories for Scottish football fans – and we are delighted to have shared the game with a large audience.
“Making the Scotland and Northern Ireland matches free to air was the right thing to do.
"We are proud to support football and football fans in these unprecedented, challenging times.”
