The oldest fixture in international football is set to add another chapter to its history on Friday.
England and Scotland resume their famous rivalry on Friday when they meet in a World Cup qualifier at Wembley, in the first competitive fixture between the sides since 1999.
Can Gordon Strachan’s Scotland spring a surprise, or will Gareth Southgate’s England prove too strong? Here, we take a look back on five memorable encounters between the nations.
1. England 1 Scotland 5, Wembley, March 31, 1928
Scotland survived an early scare when England striker Billy Smith hit the post before Alex Jackson nodded home the opener after just three minutes.
The second came courtesy of Alex James’ left-footed strike before the break. The Scots stepped up the tempo in the second half and Jackson and James both found the back of the net again, before the former claimed his hat-trick.
Bob Kelly netted a consolation goal for the home side but it was too little, too late against a side who would be dubbed the ‘Wembley Wizards’.
2. England 9 Scotland 3, Wembley, April 15, 1961
Scotland suffered their heaviest defeat in the history of this fixture at the hands of a rampant England side, as Jimmy Greaves netted a hat-trick, Johnny Haynes and Bobby Smith both claimed a brace, while Bobby Robson and Bryan Douglas also helped themselves to a goal apiece.
Dave Mackay, Davie Wilson and Pat Quinn were on target for the visitors but could not prevent the humiliating defeat. Scotland goalkeeper Frank Haffey later emigrated to Australia.
3. England 2 Scotland 3, Wembley, April 15, 1967
Scotland’s most famous victory over England came less than a year after their rivals – who were undefeated in 19 matches – won the World Cup.
Denis Law broke the deadlock when he bundled home the rebound from Willie Wallace’s effort in the first half. Bobby Lennox doubled the lead, before Jack Charlton – who was moved to an unfamiliar centre-forward role after picking up an injury – hauled the hosts back into the game with five minutes to go.
Jim McCalliog restored Scotland’s two-goal advantage with a debut effort, and a thrilling match ended with Geoff Hurst also on the score sheet with a late goal. The game was also remembered for Jim Baxter playing ‘keepy uppy’ late on, with Scotland fans crowning themselves ‘the unofficial world champions’.
4. England 1 Scotland 2, Wembley, June 4, 1977
Gordon McQueen scored with a powerful header in the first half and Kenny Dalglish had the ball over the line with a scrambled effort after the interval at Wembley, as the Scots claimed victory under new boss Ally MacLeod despite Mick Channon’s late consolation goal.
But the match was more memorable for what happened after the final whistle, when Scotland fans invaded the pitch, ripped up sections of the turf, and tore down the goal-posts.
5. England 2 Scotland 0, Wembley, June 15, 1996
A hotly anticipated encounter, this European Championship clash marked the first meeting between the two sides in seven years.
After a goalless first half, England took the lead through an Alan Shearer header, before Scotland missed the chance to level when Gary McAllister’s spot-kick was saved by David Seaman, with TV magician Uri Geller later claiming he made the ball move from the penalty spot.
Paul Gascoigne – then playing in Glasgow with Rangers – grabbed a memorable winner when he flicked over Colin Hendry before firing a right-footed volley past Andy Goram to seal the win for England.
