Scotland returns to the World Cup for the first time in 28 years, preparing to face Haiti. The history of opening matches offers reason for reflection: tournaments in 1954 and 1958 produced no victories in opening games.
In 1974 in West Germany, Scotland finally won its first World Cup opener—a 2-0 victory over Zaire with goals from Peter Lorimer and Joe Jordan. However, draws with Brazil and Yugoslavia proved decisive: goal difference was insufficient for group progression. 'In hindsight we should have tried to score more goals,' recalled Joe Jordan, former Leeds and Manchester United striker. 'There was a bit of naivety. If that game had been our second or third, the scoreline might have been different.'
In 1978, manager Ally McLeod led one of Scotland's strongest ever squads: the roster held 60 collective medals as champions of Scotland and England and European Cup winners. Yet McLeod declined an offer to scout Peru. The Peruvians punished the oversight, thrashing Scotland 3-1 in Cordoba in the opening match. A draw with Iran and win over the Netherlands proved insufficient.
→ Next match preview: Haiti — Scotland