PLAY OFF AGONY & ECSTASY Our final shoot-out record
SCOTLAND will be playing their 10th play-off game tomorrow for a major tournament. Here’s the record so far...
1961, World Cup: Czechoslovakia 4, Scotland 2 (aet)
After finishing level on points in their group, a one-off play-off game in neutral Brussels saw the Czechs prevail after extra time, despite Ian St John’s double. They went on to be runners-up to Brazil in Chile at the finals.
1985, World Cup: Scotland 2, Australia 0
Second-half goals from Davie Cooper and Frank McAvennie saw Alex Ferguson’s side take a giant step towards Mexico 86.
Australia 0, Scotland 0
Australia boss Frank Arok warned the Scots to bring their sunscreen for the second leg but it was played at Melbourne’s MCG at night and 20,000 ex-pat Tartan Army fans saw Scotland progress.
1999, European Championship: Scotland 0, England 2
Two Paul Scholes goals in the first half flattened the Hampden atmosphere as Kevin Keegan’s side took a comfortable lead to London for the second leg.
England 0, Scotland 1
A brilliant performance saw Don Hutchison nod the only goal before David Seaman made a stunning reaction save from a late Christian Dailly header.
2003, European Championship: Scotland 1, Holland 0
A wonderfully-worked goal from James McFadden stunned Dick Advocaat’s star-studded side and Berti Vogts’ men clung on. Holland 6, Scotland 0
This Amsterdam annihilation remains the heaviest-ever defeat in European Championship play-off history.
Ruud van Nistelrooy hit three and Wesley Sneijder, Andra Ooijer and Frank de Boer also netted as the classy Dutch just ran riot.
2020, European Championship: Scotland 0, Israel 0 (aet, Scotland win 5-3 on penalties)
Chances were at a premium on a nervy night at Hampden in the play-off semi. It went all the way to penalties and David Marshall’s save from Eran Zahavi won it for the Scots.
Serbia 1, Scotland 1 (aet, Scotland win 5-4 on penalties)
Scotland dominated in Belgrade and Ryan Christie’s goal seemed to have secured victory until a last- gasp Luka Jovic equaliser. Marshall saved in the shoot-out from Aleksandar Mitrovic and Scotland rejoiced.