Antagonism, conflict fuel England’s rivalry with Scotland
When England face Scotland in tomorrow’s Euro 2020 clash at Wembley, the first meeting between the rivals in four years will renew a bitter feud stoked by centuries of antagonism and conflict.
From Scottish fans swinging triumphantly on the Wembley crossbar in 1977 to Paul Gascoigne’s virtuoso goal at Euro 96, the volatile relationship between England and Scotland has produced moments of anarchy and beauty in equal measure.
First officially played in Glasgow in 1872, the clash is international football’s oldest fixture, but meetings between the neighbouring nations have always been more than just a game. The enmity on both sides of Hadrian’s Wall is fuelled by political posturing and ancient tales of William Wallace leading the Scots in the First War of Independence against England in the 13th Century. The desire of many in Scotland to regain independence from British governance remains an emotional issue in the post-Brexit era. Despite Scots choosing to remain part of the United Kingdom in an independence referendum in 2014, pro-nationalist parties won a majority in Scottish parliament elections in May.
Friday’s showdown will be the 115th between the countries and despite England’s superior talent pool, Scotland have managed 41 wins compared to 48 for the Auld Enemy.
“Historically, we’ve not always been the best of friends. They were great games to play in,” former Scotland captain Graeme Souness said.
“You could never play at Wembley enough and Hampden was a special occasion as well because you had over 100 000 people who were going crazy for it.” Iconic moments abound in the ancient rivalry, with one of the first coming in 1928 when Scotland’s ‘Wembley Wizards’ thrashed England 5-1.
Arguably, Scotland’s greatest victory came in 1967 when Denis Law inspired a 3-2 success that handed England their first defeat since Bobby Moore lifted the World Cup a year earlier.
Scotland mischievously crowned themselves unofficial world champions that day.
But they last dominated the rivalry back in the 1970s when the Tartan Army would descend on London en masse, taking over Trafalgar Square in a bellicose display of jingoism.
A 2-1 victory at Wembley in 1977 triggered a pitch invasion from thousands of Scottish fans who broke the goalposts and crossbars in the ensuing chaos.