Five of the best England v Scotland matches from the vaults

To each of the teams’ fans, this clash has as much riding on it as the World Cup final. Two nations, who have long been renowned for their pride, face off in a friendly, though with the fans, this isn’t the word they would use to describe the match.

Despite playing away from home and Scotland’s improvement in form, England are still narrow favourites with Coral for the match at a 6/5 price. Games between these two sides always prove to be entertaining, so we have come up with five of the best matches in recent times.

Euro ’96: England 2-0 Scotland
This was one of those matches where everyone remembers where they were, like when England won the World Cup. It was that goal, which will always stick in many people’s minds. Following a penalty save from David Seaman, ‘Gazza’ burst forward ahead of play, received the ball over top, lifted it over a defender and dispatched on the volley.

1961 Home International Championship: England 9-3 Scotland
Tartan Army fans may have forgotten about this result a long time ago, though it remains one of Scotland’s heaviest defeats to date. Jimmy Greaves hit a hat-trick, while Bobby Smith and Johnny Haynes scored two apiece, with Dave Mackay, Davie Wilson and Pat Quinn netting for Scotland.

1974 Scotland 2-0 England
Thanks to Joe Jordan and and own goal from Colin Todd, Scotland defeated England in the Home International Championship at Hampden Park, to finish top of the table on goal difference and pip the Three Lions to tournament victory.

1985 Scotland 1-0 England
A goal from Dundee United’s Richard Gough was enough to secure victory in the Rous Cup for a side that included Barcelona’s Steve Archibald, as well as current national coach Gordon Strachan, Graeme Souness and then Aberdeen player Alex McLeish.