Archie Gemmill celebrates after netting the winning goal for Scotland on June 11, 1978. (Picture: SNS)Archie Gemmill celebrates after netting the winning goal for Scotland on June 11, 1978. (Picture: SNS)
Archie Gemmill celebrates after netting the winning goal for Scotland on June 11, 1978. (Picture: SNS)

The history of final group game heartache Scotland will be looking to avoid in Croatia crunch match

Scotland are on the verge of history – if they can defeat Croatia in their final Euro 2020 group fixture. But this isn’t the first time it’s all boiled down to the last kick at a major championships.

The national team has never progressed beyond the initial phase of a senior mens’ tournament, whether it be the World Cup or two previous European Championship appearances.

Scotland have it all to play for at Hampden, with a win guaranteeing Steve Clarke’s side progression to the knock-out stage for the first time in history.

But on no less than SEVEN previous occasions it has all been in the balance going in to the pivotal last match.

Here’s a look back at each and how they panned out from the most recent 23 years ago, way back to the national team's World Cup debut in 1954.

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