England–Scotland football rivalry
The England–Scotland football rivalry, between the England and Scotland national football teams, is the oldest international fixture in the world, first played in 1872 at Hamilton Crescent, Glasgow. Scottish nationalism has been a factor in the Scots' desire to defeat England above all other rivals, with Scottish sports journalists traditionally referring to the English as the "Auld Enemy".
Newspaper advertisement for the first official international football match. | |
| Location | Europe (UEFA) |
|---|---|
| Teams | England Scotland |
| First meeting | 30 November 1872 (SCO 0–0 ENG) |
| Latest meeting | 12 September 2023 (SCO 1–3 ENG) |
| Statistics | |
| Meetings total | 116 |
| Most wins | England (49) |
| All-time series (none-international fixture only) | 49–41–26 (England) |
| Largest victory | ENG 9–3 SCO (15 April 1961) |
England Scotland | |
The rivalry has diminished somewhat since the late 1970s, particularly since annual fixtures stopped in 1989. For England, games against Germany and Argentina are now considered to be more important than the historic rivalry with Scotland.
BBC Online commented that the games "have represented all that is good and all that is bad about football since the fixture began," while The Guardian newspaper once reported that "for millions across both sides of the border the encounter represents a chance for the ultimate victory over the enemy." As of 2023, the teams have played 116 matches; England have won 49, Scotland 41, and there have been 26 draws.