This Day in History: 2023-04-19

Nr. 440

SCOTS CLAIM ‘WORLD CHAMPION’ STATUS (1967)

Fanatical Scotland supporters claimed unofficial world champion status for their country when they humihated the ‘Auld Enemy’ England in a 3-2 win at Wembley on 15 March. England was on a high after winning the World Cup in 1966 and the Scotland setback was their first defeat since becoming world champions. The Scots’ hero was midfielder Jim Baxter who ran the show, mocking the English team with all manner of trickery and cheeky moves. Scotland scored through Denis Law, Bobby Lennox and Jim McCalliog in front of a crowd of 99,063, swelled by a big and vociferous ‘Tartan Army’ which had travelled from north of the border.

Scotland’s Den is Law is congratulated by an ecstatic Scotland fan after his team’s 3-2 victory over the reigning World Champions.