It has happened before

The last three games between Scotland and Spain have all taken place on Spanish soil and as you would expect, the Spanish have the upper hand…but not by much.

A 1-1 draw on 3rd of September 2004 – game abandoned on 59 minutes!
A 0-0 draw on 27th of April 1988
A 1-0 defeat on 27th February 1985

However, on the 14th November 1984 Hampden Park was rocking as Scotland thrashed the Spaniards 3-1 in the 1986 World Cup qualifying group. This was Scotland’s second game of their group on the road to Mexico and this victory saw the Scots sit top of the table with 6 points.

Scotland’s opening game was a 3-0 Hampden win over Iceland with Celtic midfielder Paul McStay notching two of the goals. Arsenal striker Charlie Nicholas got a third late on to put a good finish on the game and set Scotland up for their clash with the Spanish team.

Group 7 was one of three four team group in the European Qualifying round and the runner up in Scotland’s group would have to play off against the Oceanic winners. Spain were always likely to be favourites in the group so second place was what Scotland needed to look for.

By half-time against Spain, Scotland were two up and cruising, Maurice Johnston netting twice. The player had not long signed for Celtic by this point but these two goals managed to get virtually the entire country behind him. How things were to change a few years later for Johnston!

Spain pulled a goal back through Goicochea on 65 minutes and Hampden braced itself for a night of disappointment but Kenny Dalglish, the true Last King of Scotland, scored a phenomenal strike to restore Scotland’s two goal advantage. That was the last of the scoring and Scotland looked well on their way to Mexico.

As everyone knows, there were a lot of twists and turns to come in that qualifying campaign with a defeat in Spain followed up by a disappointing loss at home to Wales. A nervy 1-0 win in Iceland set Scotland up for a massive clash in Wales where a draw would ensure Scotland would finish above Wales in the qualifying group.

As most people know, a late Davie Cooper penalty got Scotland the point they needed but the death of Jock Stein was the abiding memory of that evening. It may have been a brief qualifying campaign and it had some great highlights but the loss of Stein overshadows it all.

Scotland at least defeated Australia in the play-offs and reached the World Cup but the home win over Spain will live long in the memory of those who witnessed it.

It will take something special to defeat the current Spanish side, who are amongst the best in the world.

King Kenny Dalglish’s goal against Spain can be seen in this video, at the 3:24 mark. Enjoy!

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.