Scotland 3-2 Holland

Opponents > Holland > Scotland 3-2 Holland, 1978

Scotland went into their final group game knowing that, to progress to the next round they would have to beat Holland by three goals. That looked unlikely after 34 minutes as Rensenbrink converted a penalty after Rep was brought down in the box. Nine minutes later Souness crossed a ball to the back post for Jordan to head into the path of Dalglish, to score a half volley on the turn. Two minutes into the second half, Souness was fouled in the penalty area, and Gemmill scored the resulting penalty to put Scotland 2-1 ahead. Midway through the second half, possibly the greatest Scotland goal of all time was scored. Dalglish collected the ball near the right corner flag before Krol tackled him. The ball fell to Gemmill on the edge of the penalty area, who skipped past Jansen, avoided the tackle from Poortvliet, and nutmegged Krol. He was through one on one with the keeper Jongbloed, and he lifted the ball over the diving keeper to put Scotland 3-1 ahead and send the Scotland fans into ecstasy. Scotland now only needed one more goal to qualify. That joy was short lived as three minutes later Rep collected the ball midway in the Scotland half before he unleashed an outstanding shot from 30 yards that beat Rough to make it 3-2. After that Scotland's spirit was dejected, and they couldn't score the other goals that they needed. At the final whistle Scotland walked off with their heads held high after defeating arguably the best team in the world; but for the second World Cup in a row, Scotland went out on goal difference.