Remember when ... 1982: Malaga turns up the heat on Scotland’s fans

“THE old story as Scotland’s dream ends” ran the sombre headline in the back page of this newspaper on the morning of Wednesday, June 23, 1982. “Goal difference brings despair as we falter again,” echoed a smaller heading.

Scotland had the previous evening drawn 2-2 with the Soviet Union in Malaga and narrowly failed to climb out of the group stages and progress into the next round.

“Scotland the brave was an appropriate anthem in the red-hot atmosphere and steamy heat of the La Rosaleda

Stadium here tonight as Jock Stein’s men came so close to knocking the arrogant Russians out of the World Cup,” Jim Reynolds began his report, which he filed shortly after the final whistle.

“But, sadly after so much effort and courage, the Scots are out again and already packing their bags from home while lesser sides survive.

“It is incredible that these are the third World Cup finals in a row in which Scotland have failed to qualify because of goal difference.”

Scotland had beaten New Zealand 5-2 in their opening game but had then lost 4-1 to Brazil.

As ever, the colourful spectacle that was the World

Cup afforded the international contingent of photographers no end of potential for offbeat shots. The Glasgow Herald’s Arthur Kinloch took this picture of a Scotland fan from Edinburgh waiting in 100-degree heat at the Malaga stadium for the Russia game to begin.

After the match, thousands of disappointed Scottish fans consoled each other in the city’s bars.

“Many a tear was shed as the supporters faced up to the reality of defeat,” The Herald reported. “Russia had held Scotland to a 2-2 draw and had thus deprived them of a place in the second phase.

“There were plenty of shoulders to cry on along the Costa del Sol. But there was no disgrace in defeat. The wake became a celebration.

“Among the tears there were songs and cheers. There was laughter and dancing in the streets. It was a final fling.

“There was no lack of support for the Scottish side last night. The fans were at their fervent best, backed by a reserve squad of up to 20,000 local people.

The Russians in the crowd numbered little more than a busload.”

Scotland’s Graeme Souness declared: “It is a bit heartbreaking, not just for the players but for the supporters.”