SCOTLAND’S REIGN OVER SPAIN
We most likely should not be waving large meaty slabs of succulent temptation in entrance of destiny’s drooling maw, so apologies upfront to all affected supporters will have to the worst occur this night time. But info are info are info: Scotland have a shockingly just right document in opposition to Spain. Their first-ever World Cup qualifying fit that wasn’t a part of the outdated Home Championship was once in opposition to the Spanish at Hampden in May 1957, and should you suppose the Scots are underdogs this night, then this was once every other degree altogether. Scotland’s group was once made up from gamers from Clyde, Charlton and second-tier wastrels Liverpool, whilst Spain have been a glamorous amalgam of the brightest stars from Barcelona and Real Madrid. The Spanish ahead line that night time consisted of Ladislao Kubala, Alfredo Di Stéfano, Luis Suárez and Paco Gento. Time to crank that outdated Sunday Post-o-meter as much as 11: jings, crivvens, assist ma boab!
So naturally Scotland went directly to win that one 4-2, the quite much less shiny determine of Blackpool’s Jackie Mudie serving to himself to a hat-trick. Admittedly the Spanish dished up piping-hot small plates of revenge simply two weeks later, successful 4-1 in Madrid, however let’s now not cloud the water, and anyway it was once Scotland who made it via to the finals in any case. Then six years later, Scotland went to Madrid with a group that includes Denis Law, Jim Baxter, Ian St John and, erm, Ian Ure and gained 6–2. Six-two!
Another well-known win got here at Hampden in 1984, bang slap in the course of Scotland’s imperial They Always Qualify section (disbelieving children are asked to direct their questions to Mum, Dad or Billy Connolly). Spain had simply completed the Euros as runners-up, although hindsight presentations they have been halfway via a transitional length of continuously comical underachievement that lasted from 1965 to 2007. Still, a win’s a win’s a win, and two Mo Johnston headers plus Kenny Dalglish’s document The -equaling thirtieth world target – an absolute belter, through the best way – gave Scotland a three–1 victory. Olé ola (to cite Rod Stewart’s adaptation of a music a few Brazilian lady for a World Cup held in Argentina, however you get the overall gist).
Scotland final performed Spain within the qualifiers for Euro 2012, when the Red Fury have been very a lot of their trophy-hoovering pomp. They misplaced 3–1 at Alicante and three–2 at Hampden, getting back from two down within the latter fit simplest to concede a past due winner. Brave effects each, particularly whilst you imagine Spain have been the reigning international and European champions, whilst tactical guru Craig Levein was once on the time experimenting with a 10-0-0 formation. A protracted line of extremely respectable ancient performances, then, which won’t technically have any touching on this night’s sport in opposition to the Tenth-best aspect on the planet … but when you’ll see off the likes of Kubala and Di Stéfano in a single fell swoop, you’ll see off anyone, That’s watertight footballing common sense, proper?
LIVE ON BIG WEBSITE
Join Scott Murray for piping sizzling MBM protection of Brave Scotland 1-1 Spain, with kick-off from 7.45pm BST.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“The situation has become worse. Now they are punishing us” – safety guards hired through an organization with contracts at websites related to the World Cup in Qatar are allegedly nonetheless being paid as low as 35 pence an hour, 4 months after the Guardian first published their plight.
RECOMMENDED LISTENING
Things were given verrrrrrrry fascinating within the WSL on the weekend: it is now a four-way race for the identify, and Faye Carruthers, Suzanne Wrack, Robyn Cowen and Anita Asante are right here to inform you all about it in the newest Women’s Football Weekly podcast.
RECOMMENDED LOOKING
It’s ya boi, David Squires, at the a laugh and video games of the world ruin.
“Re: Friday’s letters about ChatGPT, I’m wondering if The Man has implemented this new technology to run Football Daily and select the hotly contested ‘Prizeless Letter o’ the day. With the interest rate going up yet again and the cost of living squeezing, is this an attempt to cut staffing costs at The Big Website? I’m sure 1,056 ChatGPT’s will be eagerly awaiting an answer” – Pete Cody [and no others],
“Yesterday, I had the opportunity to see Nedum Onuoha in person at the Oxford Literary Festival, in a charming marquee located in the grounds of a medieval Oxford college. It was the most unusual audience for an Oxford Lit Fest event I’ve ever seen. All ages, a number of women and children, and a lot of men of a certain age sporting football gear – notably QPR and Man City kit (quelle surprise). Well, can I just say, that this man should be running our country, not confining himself to podcasts and other entertaining social media products, great though those are. Articulate, super smart, funny, self deprecating, with what sounded like patience and forbearance by the bucket load. Yes, of course, I bought his book, pretending it was for my eldest son for his birthday today. I showed it to the birthday boy last night, and then promptly stowed it away on my own bookshelves, where I can admire it until I decide to actually read the contents, rather than just sit here feeling thrilled that it is there. What a footballer, what a hero – and thank you to GFW for introducing him to me” – Anne Burrell.
NEWS, BITS AND BOBS
Beth Mead wishes ‘a miracle’ to be are compatible for England’s World Cup marketing campaign, says Sarina Wiegman. She has additionally recalled Hannah Hampton, Lucy Parker and Esme Morgan to the squad for the approaching friendlies in opposition to Brazil and Australia, however Beth England has once more been blanked.
Meanwhile, Jonas Eidevall has expressed complete self belief a Mead-less Arsenal can triumph over a 1-0 first-leg deficit in opposition to Bayern Munich and achieve their first Women’s Champions League semi-final in 10 years. “We can beat any team,” Eidevall roared.
Antonio Conte has thanked the various hundreds “who shared my passion and intensity” in a suitably barbed farewell message to Tottenham. “A special thought to the fans who always showed me support and appreciation, it’s been unforgettable to hear them singing my name,” he emoted.
Harry Kane has introduced a brand new “Record-Breaker” burger to mark his 54-goal England scoring document. Available on the Toca Social eating place on the O2 Arena in Greenwich, it accommodates grilled lemon and herb rooster, coleslaw, chipotle mayo and a brioche bun. “Let the burger do the talking,” he scoffed. And 54% of the proceeds from all gross sales will cross to the Harry Kane Foundation, which gives psychological well being beef up to younger folks.
In an indication of the ladies’s Old Firm derby obtaining the similar gravitas, dignity and significance as its males’s similar, SFA fits are to research after Rangers’ girls’s assistant supervisor, Craig McPherson, gave the impression to head-butt Celtic’s Fran Alonso on the finish of Monday’s 1-1 draw.
Staying with issues fitba, Clarke Steve has instructed Scotland to park all ideas in their Nations League-acquired playoff position for the Euro 2024 qualifiers and concentrate on going through Spain this night. “We shouldn’t be going in with a feeling of being the underdog. I know we love that, the Scottish mentality is that we love being the underdog. But I think we can be competitive against Spain at Hampden,” he roared.
In last night’s Euro qualifiers, Republic O’Ireland dug deep against France but Benjamin Pavard’s screamer earned the World Cup runners-up a 1-0 win.
Premier League chief suit Richard Masters has told MPs he could not comment on whether Newcastle’s ownership was being investigated in the light of new admissions about Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund. Speaking to the digital, culture, media and sport select committee, Masters sniffed: “I can’t really comment on it. I mean, even to the point of saying: ‘Is the Premier League investigating it?’ We can’t really comment on it,” So that’s that cleared up then.
Film and TV’s Wrexham are to face Manchester United in a friendly in San Diego this summer, and have marked the fact with a bantz-tastic launch video featuring Sir Alex Ferguson, if you like that sort of thing.
The former England midfielder Carlton Palmer said he was kept in hospital for further tests following a ‘suspected small heart attack’ during the Sheffield half-marathon on Sunday.
STILL WANT MORE?
“The suffering is the good part, no”. Jonathan Liew conceptualises a sacked Spurs managers’ WhatsApp groupchat.
Michael Butler at the tide of emotion that greeted Argentina’s males in Buenos Aires at their first fit since their Human Rights World Cup triumph.
Pete Pattison and Nick Ames document from Qatar on how guarantees to give a boost to employees’ rights and stipulations aren’t being lived as much as, 100 days on from the World Cup last, whilst a felony case has been opened over the loss of life of a employee right through the World Cup. Cup.
MEMORY LANE
The Manchester City goalkeeper, Ron Healey, reacts after scoring the personal target that sank his group within the 1971 European Cup Winners’ Cup semi-final in opposition to Chelsea. Derek Smethurst’s target within the first leg at Stamford Bridge gave Chelsea a 1–0 first-leg merit they usually finished a 2–0 mixture win due to Healey’s misfortune at Maine Road. Chelsea performed Real Madrid within the last and after a 2–2 draw gained the replay in Piraeus 2–1 due to targets from John Dempsey and Peter Osgood.