Football’s Greatest Goals No.3
The year was 1978 and Scotland had qualified for their second successive World Cup. The tournament was to held in Argentina.
The Scots were in a group with Iran, Holland and Peru. They started the tournament with a disappointing 3-1 defeat to Peru, before following this up with a 1-1 draw with Iran.
Holland were to be their toughest opponents in the group and the Scots came away with a 3-2 win. The Dutch had reached the Final in the previous World Cup before losing to hosts West Germany. They also had some world class players in Johann Cruyff, Arie Haan and Johnny Rep.
One of the goals has gone down as one of their best in their World Cup history. The goal was scored by Archie Gemmill who played his club football at Nottingham Forest.
Archie Gemmill got the ball about 25 yards out, just outside at the right hand side of the penalty area. He used his first touch of the ball to nudge the ball past Wim Jansen, who came sliding in to try and get to the ball.
Gemmill then leapt over Jansen’s outstretched leg before taking a couple of paces to catch up with the loose ball. He stretched out to flick the ball past Ruud Krol who had tried to get to the ball.
Jan Poortvliet then slid in to try and get the ball but the Scotsman flicked the ball under him before he could get anywhere near the ball.
Gemmill now found himself in a lot of empty space in the penalty area and he took a touch, steadied himself and looked up at the goal.
Jan Jongbloed in the Dutch goal came rushing out and dived at Gemmill’s feet but the Nottingham Forest midfielder lifted it over him and into the back of the net.
Gemmill’s goal made the score 3-1 and although Johnny Rep scored three minutes later, Scotland held on to win 3-2.
Scotland went out on goal difference for the second successive World Cup, with Holland going through instead.
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