Scotland 2 - England 1, 1976

The 15th of May 1976 brought an 85,165 strong crowd to Hampden to watch Willie Ormond’s side take on Don Revie’s England, and according to commentators at the time Jack Charlton and Brian Moore, at least 80,000 belonged to the Tartan Army. 

Despite the spectre of having conceded five goals to one on an encounter with the English a year earlier, the Scotland squad of 1976 were favourites from the outset, with a stellar line-up of players including Archie Gemmill, Kenny Dalglish, Don Masson, Joe Jordan, and Danny McGrain. 

Several early warning signs from Scotland came into effect with a threatening start in the early throes of the game – including dangerous chances from Rioch and Jordan. 

Football leaves no room for resting on laurels, and chance saw England take an early lead within 11 minutes after a goal from Mick Channon left Hampden “silenced and stunned”, in the words of then BBC commentator, David Coleman.

Silenced and Stunned? Not for long

The Scotland response was instantaneous with an equaliser from Don Masson eighteen minutes in, sending Hampden roaring into the second half. Scotland continued the pace, with a clumsy England team allowing Willie Ormond’s men to continue to test England keeper, Raymond Clemence.

In one such opportune moment, an unstoppable Joe Jordan broke past Derby County’s Roy McFarland and crossed over to Dalglish. 

As the ball left Dalglish and headed directly towards the keeper, it appeared the chance was wasted - but in a miraculous fashion shot straight between Clemence’s legs and into the net to ensure Scotland took the lead.

In a game that England’s Clemence would refer to as “the worst in his career”, the Scotland win was the second in a row against the Auld Enemy on Hampden soil, and the first British Championship victory for the home side since 1967.