Glorious failure has gone hand-in-hand with Scotland and major tournaments through the years. As the national team prepare to kick off Euro 2024 against host nation Germany in Munich, their record in big competitions is worth closer analysis.
The Scots have never progressed past the first stage of any World Cup or European Championship, so Steve Clarke’s squad have an opportunity to make history this month. They play Germany, Switzerland and Hungary for the chance to reach the knockout phase. Previous tournaments underline the difficulties for a Scotland side when mingling with the best nations.
They were not FIFA members initially and therefore were not entitled to take part in the World Cup until 1950. They qualified for that competition as runners-up of the British Home Championships, but the Scottish FA declined their place on principle because the team were not champions.
Scotland reached the 1954 and 1958 World Cups but did not play on the biggest stage again until 1974. That began a famous run of five successive World Cup qualifications as they took part in 1978, 1982, 1986 and 1990. They missed out in 1994 but were back among the elite in France in 1998.
Watch on Shots! All your video coverage from Euro 2024 including football, fans and fun The 1990s represented a golden era for the Tartan Army to attend major competitions as their country reached two European Championships - 1992 and 1996. They would not qualify again until Euro 2020, thus ending a 23-year wait to play in a tournament finals. Scotland’s record at World Cups and Euros shows victories are rare and goals can be hard to come by. In total, they have played 32 matches in tournaments. Those have produced only six wins, with nine draws and 17 losses. Scotland have scored 30 goals altogether in major finals but conceded 51.
Here are details of how Scottish teams have fared on the biggest stage throughout history:
They were not FIFA members initially and therefore were not entitled to take part in the World Cup until 1950. They qualified for that competition as runners-up of the British Home Championships, but the Scottish FA declined their place on principle because the team were not champions.
5. World Cup 1982 (Spain):
A 5-2 victory over New Zealand in Malaga saw Scotland start their group emphatically courtesy of goals by Kenny Dalglish, John Wark (2), John Robertson and Steve Archibald. They lost 4-1 to Brazil in Seville three days later, with David Narey famously scoring first in the game. A 2-2 draw with the Soviet Union back in Malaga saw Joe Jordan and Graeme Souness score as Jock Stein's side were knocked out. | SNS Group 0141 221 3602
6. World Cup 1986 (Mexico):
Alex Ferguson took charge of Scotland following the tragic death of Jock Stein. He oversaw a 1-0 defeat against Denmark in Nezahualcóyotl and then a 2-1 loss to West Germany in Querétaro as Gordon Strachan scored. A 0-0 draw with Uruguay back in Nezahualcóyotl sent the national team home with only one group point. | SNS Group 0141 221 3602
7. World Cup 1990 (Italy):
An embarrsing 1-0 loss to Costa Rica in Genoa left Andy Roxburgh's Scotland up against it in their section. They responded with a rousing 2-1 victory over Sweden in Turin thanks to Stuart McCall's goal and Mo Johnston's penalty. However, their Italia 90 campaign ended in the same city when they lost 1-0 to Brazil. | SNS Group 0141 221 3602
8. Euro 1992 (Sweden):
Andy Roxburgh led Scotland to their first ever European Championship at a time when only eight teams qualified for the finals. His team lost 1-0 to Netherlands in Stockholm and 2-0 to Germany in Norrkoping. The 3-0 triumph over CIS, also in Norrkoping, came thanks to Paul McStay, Brian McClair and Gary McAllister goals but was not enough to prevent elimination. | SNS Group 0141 221 3602