IT’S THE oldest international fixture in the world, giving the rivalry between the two nations the nickname of the ‘Auld Enemy’.
England vs Scotland was first played almost 150 YEARS ago in at Hamilton Crescent in Glasgow in 1872, and was played every year after until 1989 except during World War One and Two.
Scotland were the home side that day, although the action on the pitch was not exactly memorable.
The game finished 0-0 but it began what has become the oldest international fixture in world football, and perhaps the fiercest.
The close proximity of the two nations has fuelled the rivalry over the years, as well as Scottish national pride and the want to beat England above all else.
And the term ‘auld enemy’ has become synonymous with the fixture.
The word ‘auld’ literally means ‘old’ in Scottish dialect and is used regularly in Scotland.
Auld Lang Syne is a famous Scottish song – meaning ‘old long since’ – and Edinburgh has the nickname ‘Auld Reekie’ which means ‘old smoky’.
The Auld Kirk is another name for the Church of Scotland… but also the country’s world famous export: whisky.
The importance of the fixture has been highlighted in the past few days as up to 20,000 Scotland fans have descended on London for tonight’s Euro 2020 fixture between the two sides at Wembley.
The Tartan Army have been allocated less than 3,000 tickets for inside Wembley, but thousands more have made the journey south to watch the game in pubs and bars across the capital.
Tonight’s game has shades of the Euro 96 clash between the sides, remembered mostly for Paul Gascgoine’s iconic goal in the 3-1 England win at Wembley that day.
Scotland fans will never forget beating England at Wembley in 1967, the first defeat for the then world champions in a 3-2 victory with goals from Denis Law, Bobby Lennox and Jim McCalliog.
Who has won more games?
Over the years it’s England that have had the better of the results, adding to Scottish desperation to get one over the Auld Enemy.
In 114 meetings between the two countries England have won 48 of them, with 41 draws and 25 Scotland wins.
Who won the last time they played?
The two sides last faced off four years ago at Hampden Park in a 2018 World Cup qualifier, with the game ending in dramatic fashion.
England took the lead after 70 minutes through Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, but were pegged back by a quickfire Leigh Griffiths brace in the 87th and 90th minute.
The Tartan Army had thought they had won it until Harry Kane’s 93rd minute equaliser broke Scottish hearts, and extended England’s now 22-year unbeaten run against the Auld Enemy.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
