The first competitive match the Netherlands and Scotland played against each other was a thriller. Scotland had started the 1978 World Cup extremely badly, losing 1-3 to Peru after taking an early lead, and only managing a 1-1 draw with Iran, and that thanks to an own goal by an Iranian defender. As the Netherlands had beaten the Persians 3-0 and played 0-0 with Peru, Scotland needed to win the final group match by three clear goals in order to progress. After Rensenbrink converted a first half penalty noone thought that possible anymore, but after an equaliser by Kenny Dalglish, a penalty by Archie Gemmill and a truly wonderful individual effort by the same player halfway the second half (quite possibly the best goal ever scored against the Netherlands), Scotland were nearly there. Just for four minutes though, as Rep let fly a shot from far out which demoralised the Scots and set the example for Haan's later efforts against West Germany and Italy.
At the 1996 European Championship in England, Scotland came even closer to dumping Oranje out of the tournament. Their first group match saw the two play to a 0-0 draw, but the Netherlands then defeated Switzerland 2-0 while Scotland fell to the hosts by the same scoreline. However, those detested southern neighbours then nearly managed to do the Scots a good turn, taking a 4-0 lead after little over an hour against a disintegrating Dutch side while Scotland had taken a 1-0 half-time lead against the Swiss. At that point, Scotland were in the quarterfinals, but Kluivert somehow found a goal 12 minutes from time and Scotland failed to score a second, meaning they were eliminated by the Dutch on the third tie-breaker (goals scored, following head-to-head results and goal difference).
Since then, the two countries have met in a few qualifying matches, but in those Scotland failed to pose a serious challenge, being outscored 10 to 1 over the 4 competitive matches played since the turn of the millenium.
All matches listed are friendlies unless otherwise stated.
Game Date Venue Result Remark 1. 21- 5-1938 Amsterdam Netherlands 1-3 Scotland 2. 27- 5-1959 Amsterdam Netherlands 1-2 Scotland 3. 11- 5-1966 Glasgow Scotland 0-3 Netherlands 4. 30- 5-1968 Amsterdam Netherlands 0-0 Scotland 5. 1-12-1971 Amsterdam Netherlands 2-1 Scotland 6. 11- 6-1978 Mendoza Scotland 3-2 Netherlands [World Cup] 7. 23- 2-1982 Glasgow Scotland 2-1 Netherlands 8. 29- 4-1986 Eindhoven Netherlands 0-0 Scotland 9. 6-12-1992 Göteborg Netherlands 1-0 Scotland [European Championship] 10. 23- 3-1994 Glasgow Scotland 0-1 Netherlands 11. 27- 5-1994 Utrecht Netherlands 3-1 Scotland 12. 10- 6-1996 Birmingham Netherlands 0-0 Scotland [European Championship] 13. 26- 4-2000 Arnhem Netherlands 0-0 Scotland 14. 15-11-2003 Glasgow Scotland 1-0 Netherlands [European Champ. Qual.] 15. 19-11-2003 Amsterdam Netherlands 6-0 Scotland [European Champ. Qual.] 16. 28- 3-2009 Amsterdam Netherlands 3-0 Scotland [World Cup Qual.] 17. 9- 9-2009 Glasgow Scotland 0-1 Netherlands [World Cup Qual.] 18. 9-11-2017 Aberdeen Scotland 0-1 Netherlands 19. 2- 6-2021 Faro Netherlands 2-2 Scotland 20. 22- 3-2024 Amsterdam Netherlands 4-0 Scotland
Total record:
Netherlands 20 10 5 5 32- 15 25
Scotland 20 5 5 10 15- 32 15
Some more stats:
Pd N D S NG- SG
In the Netherlands: 10 5 3 2 20- 7
In Scotland: 6 4 0 2 7- 3
Elsewhere: 4 1 2 1 5- 5
In addition to the 20 official matches above, 1 more match was played between the full international sides of the Netherlands and Scotland, in June 1929. It is official for Scotland, and when the match was kicked off, after the playing of both national anthems, all present in the stadium were under the impression it was an official match. However, months later, the N.V.B. (Dutch FA) declared it was not official, a decision taken by N.V.B. president ir. Kips, who was strictly opposed against playing professionals (as the Scots of course were).
See match 146 of the Scottish national team for match details.
Game Date Venue Result Remark U 1. 4- 6-1929 Amsterdam Netherlands 0-2 Scotland [later annulled by N.V.B.] Total unofficial record: Netherlands 1 0 0 1 0- 2 0 Scotland 1 1 0 0 2- 0 2
Netherlands - List of International Matches
Scotland - List of International Matches
Thanks to Roberto Di Maggio and Roland Kroezen
Prepared and maintained by Karel Stokkermans for the Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation
Author: Karel Stokkermans
Last updated: 23 Mar 2024
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