Midtjylland substitute Junior Brumado scored a stunning winner in the 29th minute of extra-time to silence a packed Easter Road and consign spirited Hibernian to a 3-2 aggregate defeat in the Europa League second qualifying round.
Following a 1-1 draw in Denmark a week previously, and a goalless 90 minutes in Edinburgh, it looked like a tense tie was destined to go to penalties after a sublime extra-time strike from Dario Osorio was cancelled out by a close-range finish from Hibs defender Rocky Bushiri.
But, just moments after Midtjylland had replaced their goalkeeper in anticipation of a shoot-out, Brumado’s magnificent overhead kick sent the Danes through to the third qualifying round.
Hibs will now parachute into the third qualifying round of the Conference League to face Partizan Belgrade, with the first leg set to be in the Serbian capital next Thursday.
Manager David Gray enlisted the same XI that started in Denmark and, as they had done a week earlier, the William Hill Premiership side made a positive start in front of the biggest home support to attend a match at Easter Road since the stadium was redeveloped in the 1990s.
Among those watching from the main stand was Scotland defender Grant Hanley, a signing target for the Hibees.
Captain Martin Boyle saw an early chance scrambled behind by the visitors before Warren O’Hora’s header was held by goalkeeper Jonas Lossl from an inswinging Jordan Obita cross.
The visitors’ first attempt came in the ninth minute when Osorio saw a ferocious low strike from 30 yards out smothered by Jordan Smith.
Jamie McGrath, who was instrumental in Hibs’ strong start, then fired just wide from the edge of the box before Dju Franculino headed just past the post at the other end.
The Edinburgh side thought they had taken the lead in the 15th minute when Kieron Bowie burst in at the back post to force home Obita’s cross from the left, but their celebrations were cut short by the offside flag.
Seemingly buoyed by this reprieve, Midtjylland gradually started to seize control and Osorio scooped an effort over from the edge of the six-yard box, while goalkeeper Smith had to make a couple of important saves to keep the hosts level at the interval.
The Danes continued in the ascendancy after the break and Valdemar Andreasen fizzed a shot just over at the start of the second half before Franculino had a goal ruled out for offside following a lengthy VAR check in the 53rd minute.
Midytjylland remained the likelier side but were unable to find a way past a resolute Hibs defence until the fourth minute of extra-time when Osorio fired home a stunning strike from 25 yards out.
But Hibs were not finished and they drew level in first-half stoppage-time when defender Bushiri blasted home from inside the six-yard box after excellent work by substitute Elie Youan on the left to set him up.
With penalties looming, Brumado conjured an acrobatic finish that flew high past Smith from just outside the six-yard box to leave the Hibees shattered.
