1986 FIFA World Cup qualification (UEFA–OFC play-off)

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1986 FIFA World Cup qualification
(UEFA–OFC play-off)
Event1986 FIFA World Cup qualification
Scotland Australia
Scotland Australia
2 0
Scotland won 2–0 on aggregate
First leg
Scotland Australia
2 0
Date20 November 1985
VenueHampden Park, Glasgow
RefereeVojtěch Christov (Czechoslovakia)
Attendance61,920
Second leg
Australia Scotland
0 0
Date4 December 1985
VenueOlympic Park, Melbourne
RefereeJosé Roberto Ramiz Wright (Brazil)
Attendance32,000
← 1978
1990 →

The 1986 FIFA World Cup UEFA–OFC qualification play-off was a two-legged home-and-away tie between the winners of the Oceania qualifying tournament, Australia, and the second-placed team from the UEFA Group 7, Scotland. The games were played on 20 November and 4 December 1985 in Glasgow and Melbourne respectively. Australia were hoping to play in the FIFA World Cup for the first time since 1974 and Scotland were hoping for a fourth successive FIFA World Cup.[1][2]

Background[]

Scotland had qualified for the play-off by finishing second in their UEFA group, behind Spain. Scotland secured second place in dramatic circumstances with a 1–1 draw against Wales at Ninian Park, Cardiff. Davie Cooper scored a late equalising goal with a penalty kick to give Scotland the point they needed, but manager Jock Stein collapsed and died of a heart attack. This meant that assistant manager Alex Ferguson took charge of the team for the play-off.

Australia finished top of a single four-team group that comprised New Zealand, as well as Israel and Chinese Taipei, both of whom were at the time members of FIFA but were outside their own regional confederations.

Scotland Round Australia
Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
 Spain 6 4 0 2 9 8 1 8
 Scotland 6 3 1 2 8 4 4 7
 Wales 6 3 1 2 7 6 1 7
 Iceland 6 1 0 5 4 10 −6 2
Final standings
Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
 Australia 6 4 2 0 20 2 18 10
 Israel 6 3 1 2 17 6 11 7
 New Zealand 6 3 1 2 13 7 6 7
 Chinese Taipei 6 0 0 6 1 36 −35 0

Play-off match[]

In the first leg of the play-off in Hampden Park on 20 November 1985, Scotland took the lead in the 53rd minute from a twenty-yard free kick scored by Davie Cooper, hitting the ball around the wall and into the bottom right hand corner of the net. The second goal arrived in the 59th minute from Frank McAvennie who was making his senior debut for Scotland. He lobbed the ball over the goalkeeper after being set up by a header from Kenny Dalglish. The second leg on 4 December finished goalless which was enough for Scotland to advance to the 1986 FIFA World Cup finals in Mexico.

First leg[]

1986 FIFA World Cup qualification playoff
First leg
Scotland 2–0 Australia
Cooper Goal 53'
McAvennie Goal 59'		 Report
Attendance: 61,940

OFFICIALS

MATCH RULES

  • 90 minutes
  • 2 (of ?) substitutions permitted

Second leg[]

Second leg
Australia 0–0 Scotland
Report
Attendance: 32,000

OFFICIALS

MATCH RULES

  • 90 minutes
  • 30 minutes of extra-time if necessary
  • Penalty shoot-out if scores still level:
  • 2 (of 2) substitutions permitted

Aftermath[]

Scotland qualified for the 1986 FIFA World Cup Finals in Mexico and were drawn into Group E with West Germany, Uruguay and debutants Denmark. Scotland lost 1–0 to Denmark and 2–1 to West Germany. Scotland had to beat Uruguay and Uruguay played with ten men and drew 0–0. Scotland finished bottom in the group on one point.

References[]

  1. ^ "Scotland 2 Australia 0". Glasgow Herald (page 32). 21 November 1985. Retrieved 11 October 2012.
  2. ^ "Australia 0 Scotland 0". Glasgow Herald (page 30). 5 December 1985. Retrieved 11 October 2012.
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