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

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 November 20 and December 4 of 1985 in Glasgow and Melbourne respectively. Australia was hoping to play in the FIFA World Cup for the first time since 1974 and Scotland was hoping for a fourth successive FIFA World Cup.

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.

Play-off Match

First Leg

AUS Terry Greedy, Charlie Yankos, Alan Davidson, David Ratcliffe, Steve O'Connor, Graham Jennings, Joe Watson, Ken Murphy, Oscar Crino, David Mitchell, John Kosmina

Second Leg

AUS Terry Greedy, Charlie Yankos, Alan Davidson, David Ratcliffe, Robbie Dunn, Graham Jennings, Jimmy Patikas, Oscar Crino, Ken Murphy, John Kosmina, David Mitchell

SCO Jim Leighton, Richard Gough, Alexander McLeish, William Miller, Paul McStay, Graeme Souness(c), Roy Aitken, Maurice Malpas, David Speedie, Frank McAvennie, David Cooper

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 by more than one goal and Uruguay played with ten mean and drew 0–0. Scotland finishing bottom in the group on one point.

References