70 days to go…
We’re counting down to the FIFA World Cup 2026™ by showcasing a golazo from the global finals each day.
Archie Gemmill
Scotland v Netherlands
Argentina 1978 | Group 4
Estadio Libertador General San Martin, Mendoza
Neutrals had been whispering Scotland’s name as dark horses to take the tape going into Argentina 1978. Their coach had megaphoned them as champions in waiting. Going into their third and final first-phase game in Mendoza, however, Ally MacLeod’s men needed to climb Aconcagua just to stay alive.
Scotland effectively required victory by three goals to pip their opponents to a last-16 spot. Those opponents were the mighty Netherlands, runners-up four years earlier, exponents of the fear-striking ‘Total Football’.
The Scots required something special. They got something very, very special in the 68th minute. Archie Gemmill, who had stroked them 2-1 up from the spot, wasn’t renowned as a sorcerer or scorer, yet turned both beneath the highest mountain outside Asia.
The inexhaustible midfielder evaded a sliding challenge from Wim Jansen, cunningly slalomed inside the great Ruud Krol, sneaked the adidas Tango through Jan Poortvliet’s legs, and lifted the ball over Jan Jongbloed and into his net.
It left a Mendoza miracle within touching distance and, though Scotland were unable to tap that target, Gemmill’s goal and the victory it inspired remain the country’s greatest in the competition.
