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It has been 20 long years since Scotland last played in the World Cup but the national team has a long, proud history at the World Cup finals.
Between 1974 and 1990, Scotland qualified for five straight World Cup tournaments and in addition to those great years of national team football, the side qualified in 1954, 1958 and 1998.
France 1998 was the last World Cup tournament to feature Scotland and they even played in the opening against Brazil. The Scots weren’t favorite to win according to Genting, but they still delivered a good game, only losing 1-2 against the Brazilian Golden generation. Loyal supporters continue to dream of following the national team to the World Cup but until then, let’s re-live some of the best Scottish national team goals scored at the World Cup.
Peter Lorimer, Scotland vs. Zaire – 1974
Scotland had missed out on the World Cup for 16 years before qualifying in 1974. The team played Zaire in its opening match of the tournament. Twenty-six minutes into the match, Scotland's Peter Lorimer put the team on the winning road with a thunderous volley from just inside the penalty area. Scotland won 2-0 against a Zaire team that conceded 14 goals in three games.
Joe Jordan, Scotland vs. Yugoslavia – 1974
After drawing with Brazil in match two at the 1974 World Cup, Scotland needed a result against Yugoslavia. The team also needed Zaire to hold Brazil to as few goals as possible. Scotland had refrained from running up the score against Zaire in match one and it was about to come back to haunt the nation. Despite ultimately going out of the tournament, Joe Jordan's 88th minute leveler against Yugoslavia was an important goal. It kept hope alive briefly after Jordan played a cross into the air before hitting it on the volley and into the goal. Scotland missed out on progression thanks to an inferior goal difference.
Archie Gemmill, Scotland vs. The Netherlands – 1978
Scotland's hopes were high at the 1978 World Cup in Argentina. The team had played well in qualifying for the tournament and supporters in Scotland were buoyed by the claims of manager Ally MacLeod. The team quickly found the level of play in Argentina to be high as the national side took one point from two opening matches. The Scottish team needed to beat the Netherlands by three goals to advance. Although MacLeod's men scored three times, the Dutch scored twice, eliminating Scotland. Archie Gemmill scored Scotland's third goal, and his second of the game, by cutting past three Dutch defenders to score.
Dave Narey, Scotland vs. Brazil – 1982
Dave Narey scored a fantastic goal against the Brazilians at the World Cup 1982. Narey was able to get on to the end of a knockdown just outside the 18-yard box, beating two Brazilian defenders to the ball.
Craig Burley, Scotland vs. Norway – 1998
Scotland were in a must-win situation following their defeat to Brazil at the start of World Cup 1998. Down a goal to Norway, full-back David Weir played a long ball for Craig Burley to run onto. The midfielder outran two Norwegian defenders before chipping the ball over Frode Grodas. The game finished 1-1 and Burley's goal is Scotland's last ever scored at a World Cup.
Many supporters still dream of supporting Scotland in a World Cup. No doubt if they qualify for the next tournament in 2022, many Scottish football fans will benefit from the Bet365 bonus to vibrate alongside their national team.
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