All To Play For: The Home Nations' Football Adventures

[Yülia]

As much as I want Northern Ireland to win, I think the Scots have it.

Looking forward to the Croatia-Belgium Final though. Would've been fun.

 

[QTXAdsy]

Chapter 165: How To Throw A Game Away
​

With Northern Ireland and Scotland facing off each other in a Quarter final tie at Milton Keynes, it was guaranteed that there would be another British team to join England in the last four with the winner of this tie heading to Old Trafford in Manchester to face either Croatia or Uruguay. However, that was felt like a million miles away on that sunny afternoon in Milton Keynes as both sets of fan in the streets were having a party and hoping to turn Milton Keynes into either a small bit of Scotland or Northern Ireland and this was the game that many were interested in seeing how it would turn out.

Traditionally Scotland held the better record other the Irish team and many had them down to win this game, though few were quick to point out that this little Northern Ireland team always had always gotten the best away the so called 'bigger' teams of this World Cup and with Northern Ireland being the smallest nation left in the tournament, they had become the underdog side everyone wanted to see do well. Both sides were playing in their usual home kit (though Scotland were playing in blue shorts instead of white) and the atmosphere in the ground was at fever pitch with it nearly full, plus add summer sun and draining beer supply dry, it could only go one way.

From the start of the match, Scotland started off as the better team with John McGinn getting a brilliant shot on goal in the 3rd minute which Northern Irish keeper Trevor Carson having to act quick to knock it out to give Scotland a corner kick. A frantic clearance in the box followed in which Andy Robertson tried to header it on goal but his header was horrendous it which he sent the ball flying way over the bar and out for an Irish goal kick. It was promising for the Scots early on but it would be an end to end game when in the 7th minute, Kyle Lafferty nearly scored at the other end in which he tried to make a long range shot on the counter curling the ball towards goal in which Scottish keeper Allan McGregor had to move near out of his box to get his hands on the ball. Was this game full proof for Scotland as many thought?

Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neil gives out orders at the start of their Quarter final tie with Scotland
​

By the 10th minute, Scotland were seeing more of the ball but yet weren't using their dominance to their advantage to try and the game became a battle in midfield trying to best the other. Both sides were proving that they were an even match for either side with the bulk of the player on the field playing the Scottish and English leagues and thus knowing who was who and for example, Scottish player Ryan Jack was having to do battle with his Rangers teammates, Kyle Lafferty and Steven Davis, on the opposing side and it did lead to quite an interesting battle as both sides went all at it trying to find the opening goal.

It would shortly turn into quite a scrappy game with fouls coming in and despite there being some big calls, most notably a penalty claim for Scotland in the 14th minute, the Dutch referee was more interesting in trying to keep the game flowing without having to stop it. Either a very lenient or poor referee some would say as jeers would follow whenever one of these challenges went unnoticed by the referee and somewhat even more bizarrely, also with VAR. It wouldn't be until the 23rd minute when the referee did show a yellow card for Jonny Evans for a bad sliding tackle on John McGinn which would see Scotland win their first free kick of the match to be taken on the left of the penalty box some 30 yards away.

Leigh Griffiths would take it but rather than try and go for goal himself, he instead made an indirect freekick sending it to his left which caught the Northern Irish wall off guard and into the path of Ryan Fraser who with an utter belter of a shot sent the ball roaring into the roof of the net to give Scotland the lead in which they felt they deserved. It was more frustration than heartache to lose a goal like that from a set piece, but there was still many more minutes to play and still time to find an equaliser. Though as the Scots began to ramp up the pressure in their search to find a second goal, that might've been a million miles away to think that good things were going to happen.

Scotland players celebrate after getting the opening goal from Ryan Fraser
​

Scotland would dominate the game after that goal and many would've felt vindicated that they were going to be proven right, however it would be in the 32nd minute that Scotland's domination would come to nothing as Northern Ireland would get themselves slowly back into the game and began to probe the Scottish defence to get an unlikely goal and a glorious chance came for Northern Ireland came in the 35th minute when while running on the counter, Stuart Dallas would cross the ball over towards Will Grigg who despite being an a great area to shoot on target, he would make a woeful shot that blazed way over the goal causing the Tartan Army supporters to cheer ironically.

If that wasn't bad enough for Grigg for missing such a glorious chance to help his country back into the game, the Scottish fans began to gourd him with the infamous Will Grigg song to rub it into the poor lad even more. That all being said, it wouldn't be until the 39th minute that the game would change on it's head. Northern Ireland towards the end of the first half had now gotten themselves back into the game by pushing the Scots back and in that very 39th minute of the game, another counter from Northern Ireland followed in which Dallas crossed it again though this time over to the captain, Steven Davis, who rather than pass the ball up towards either Grigg or Lafferty up top, went to fire on target for himself and before any Scottish defender had a chance to realise what was happening, the goal had slammed into the back of the net and To the Scots' shock, Northern Ireland were very much back in the game.

No one would deny that they did deserve the goal given how well Northern Ireland had regrouped following falling behind the Scots and now it was the men blue who were looking flustered from that sudden goal and it was nearly for the Ulstermen in the 43rd minute when they won a corner and Grigg nearly managed to score from a header that would've gone into the top left corner had it not been for the quick hands of Allan McGregor who avoided seeing Scotland blow their lead at the end of the first half and the whistle for half time couldn't come quick enough which left both sides with much to think about. This game was surely not going to script as many would've liked...

Captain Steven Davis, who's goal helped Northern Ireland get back on level with Scotland

---------
​

Scottish manager Gordon Strachan cut a very uncertain looking man in the Scottish dugout in which despite given his team a brutal team talk of what they needed to do, he couldn't help but feel that a twist was to happen in this game. His counterpart on the other hand had a more relaxed time in the dressing room with the message was to act more or less the same in which the more they did that then surely the Scots would crack open more or less. Even though in the second half Scotland did play a little better by getting a few chances, the best being a wonderful volley from Steven Naismith that had to be knocked over the bar by Trevor Carson which had he had more luck, it would've gone in.

The corner kick that followed was terrible as it went over everyone and out on the far side for a Northern Irish throw in. There would be a worrying moment for the Irish as in the 52nd minute, a coming together from Charlie Mulgrew and Will Grigg in which the Scottish player made a good tackle to stop the Irish player in which got him a yellow card, however the sad thing was that poor Will Grigg looked to be in pain due to the funny way he landed and it become clear that despite help from the Northern Irish medical team, he would be unable to carry on and thus saw him being taking off and replaced by Josh Magennis.

It would be a fairly tight game with nothing much happening for a while up until the 63rd minute when the game suddenly went out of left field in which Magennis managed to get on the ball after a bad pass from Mulgrew saw him race down on the counter towards the goal and despite Jack Hendry stretching his leg out to try and stop him, the ball would cannon off his right knee and Allan McGregor was caught off his balance as he tried to catch the ball and stop it, but it's awkward looping angle made him fail to get it and to his horror, he could only watch as the ball landed snuggly into the back of the net and the Northern Irish players and supporters were left on cloud nine while the Scots were left dumbfounded as the situation dawned on them...Scotland were 2-1 down in a Quarter final against little Northern Ireland and if that wasn't bad enough, it would go down as an own goal from Mulgrew.

"Aww Naw," Andy Robertson reacts after Northern Ireland take a shock lead
​

It was an embarrassing situation for Scotland and despite still showing more of the ball than the men in green and white, Scotland had utterly failed to take this game by the neck and an exit from the tournament seemed very real now. Strachan would make a double substitution in the 68th minute with Griffiths and Matt Richie coming off to be replaced by Oliver McBurnie and James Forrest to come on in the hope to give the Scots a kick up the backside. It was a bit of an eyebrow raiser for Griffiths to come off but other than working that great free kick, he hadn't really done much in this game and it had proven to be not his best game for his country.

The change though was looking good for the team as combined with fresh legs and a somewhat nervous looking Northern Ireland who didn't quite know what to do after taking the lead, Scotland began to lay siege on the Northern Irish backline and although it did look very likely that the Scots would score next, they were running out of time as the game neared the 70 minute mark. Then in the 73rd minute, luck fell for Scotland as with McBurnie trying to break into the box he went to try and cross it over to one of his teammates but instead with Aaron Hughes trying to block his way the ball would go off his hand as he tried to get it out off the way but it was too quick for him and to his bad luck with him being in the box, the referee saw the incident and pointed to the spot. Penalty for Scotland.

Naismith would step up to take it yet he felt like the weight of a country on his shoulders as many Scots watching wherever they were held their breathes knowing how big this moment could be in the game. Upon hearing the blast on the whistle, Naismith ran up and thumped it in into the top right corner of the net and Scotland were back on level terms, but many of them didn't celebrate as Naismith ran into the box to collect the ball and hurry back to the centre circle to kick the game off again soon as possible. What a thrilling game this was turning into for the neutrals watching.

Northern Ireland fans enjoying themselves before Scotland get that crucial penalty
​

In the final ten minutes of the match, Scotland were now starting to pour all over the Northern Irish team as not only had that second goal given them a lifeline but had given them the kick to try and find the winner in which the message from Strachan was simple; kill them off now! They weren't hanging about now as Northern Ireland were now the ones firmly stuck in their own half as they couldn't get a chance to break out as Scotland simply refused to take the game to extra time. Trevor Carson would have a hell of a final ten minutes in which he had to save many flying balls but as the more he saved, some feared that it couldn't last forever.

Then in the 87th minute and with time really running out, Scotland won a corner and many were holding their breath in the hope that despite them getting no less that ten corners in this game so far, none had been successful and surely they would get a lucky moment soon? The ball would be taken from the corner by McGinn who sent it flying into the box and it would be Naismith that would be in the right place at the right time as he got his head on the ball and banged it into the bottom right of the net and this time it was the Scots celebrating like mad at the goal.

It had been nothing short of a crazy game and the relief on the faces of the Scottish players was there and so too was the look of utter despair from the Northern Irish who were so close at reaching their first World Cup semi final since 1970. It was the hammer blow that the Scots needed to put down the Ulsterman as the men in green in white didn't have the willpower to try and grab a late goal as before long and after five minutes of added stoppage time, Scotland held on to win the game 3-2 and reached their second semi final in row.

Relief and job done, Scottish players after the thrilling end of that Quarter final
​

The feelings from that match were mixed. Scotland although being happy that they had reached the semi final, they knew that they had been very lucky as they had come so close to throwing the game away and might've gone out if Northern Ireland had just held their bottle towards the end. Speaking of which with the other team, though sad of going out at this stage, they had won the hearts of many and they would do a lap of honour for their fans who gave them a standing ovation for not going getting this far but going out in blaze of glory, though one had to look at Michael O'Neil's face and wonder what his future would be after the World Cup with his contract due for renewal.

Nonetheless as the Northern Ireland fans prepared to make the journey home over the Irish sea, the Tartan Army prepared to move north (or south depending where they were coming from) to Manchester for their big semi final chance and the thought of a return to Wembley looked to be an exciting prospect. The only hope that the fans had going into this next game that it wouldn't be as daft as this game, though for those who have followed Scotland over the years will know that life is never quite so easy...

---------
​

Well, how about that! Scotland make it to the Semi finals but not in quite an easy as they would've liked. Anyway here is the other score from the Croatia/Uruguay match:
---------

Uruguay 2-2 Croatia (Uruguay win 4-2 on penalties)

--------
Bet you didn't expect that, eh? So the last four will be as follows...
----------

England vs Belgium

Uruguay vs Scotland

----------
So who did you think will reach the final now? This will be the last update of 2019 so until I see you whenever, Happy New Year readers and hope that Christmas was good for you guys and until then...see you next time!

 

[GeorgeUK]

England beat Belgium

Uruguay beat Scotland

Scotland beat Belgium

England beat Uruguay

 

[Yülia]

The dream has been ruined!

Belgium-Scotland (you'd think I'd stop betting against Scotland, knowing that our lovely author is Scottish) as the final.

Belgium wins the World Cup they deserve, England doesn't even try for the third place and gets blown away by Uruguay. We need another 7-1 in this world.

Edit: Have I even gotten one prediction correct? Either against the Home Nations or otherwise?

 

[QTXAdsy]

Edit: Have I even gotten one prediction correct? Either against the Home Nations or otherwise?

You got the Scotland/Northern Ireland result right

 

[Lisowczycy]

I love your TL, love how you had Argentina winning the 14 WC and giving Wales their own league. How is the MLS ITTL, are they improving and the sport is bigger than OTL.

 

[QTXAdsy]

I love your TL, love how you had Argentina winning the 14 WC and giving Wales their own league. How is the MLS ITTL, are they improving and the sport is bigger than OTL.

Thank you, difference with Wales' league is you have the English based teams in it which results in a much stronger league (I'll perhaps do a map of the teams in Wales and Scotland near the end of this TL). With the MLS, I'd like to think that after well the USA do much better in the TTL's 2002 WC of them getting to the semi finals that football did kick off much more earlier, haven't personally thought about how it would go though I'd like to think by TTL's 2020 that the MLS would be about 30% stronger TOTL's one. Many more things to follow soon!

 

[Lisowczycy]

Were you have the 2026 WC with its expanded 48 teams because that be very interesting to see. Since more countries that never gone to the WC might have a better chance to go. Through the battle for those extra slots in each confederation were get more intense.

 

[Yülia]

Were you have the 2026 WC with its expanded 48 teams because that be very interesting to see. Since more countries that never gone to the WC might have a better chance to go. Through the battle for those extra slots in each confederation were get more intense.

Then those countries will get to compete in the shittiest group stage ever.

3 teams in a group with one round is poor.

Team A plays Team B. If A wins, B needs to win vs C to make it. Otherwise Team A, who is nearly guaranteed to make it, with only a very specific circumstance knocking them out. (A wins by 2, B beats C by 4+, reversing goal difference, and then C needs to beat A by enough to get positive goal difference.)

It also makes the idea of conspiration¹ a genuine issue. As A and C might just play to a draw if that keeps both in, or even Worse C has no chance to advance because they lose to B and then A just needs a draw to take the group.

People complain as is about teams being defensively passive. I bet they wont be happy when teams are passive because they just need a draw while their opponent needs 3, 4 goals to advance.

All in all, I hate how they didnt just go with 12 groups of 4 instead of 16 groups of 3.

1) Have seen people make that claim when two teams play a passive game, because both don't need a win and are fine with a draw. It happened in this TL with Wales and Northern Ireland IIRC.

 

[QTXAdsy]

Chapter 166: Underserved Victors
​

Even though England may had the home advantage, especially being played at the Stadium of Light in front a partisan support of the North East, the semi final in question looked to be an almighty struggle in question for which here England had to take on the favourites and so called 'Golden Generation' of Belgium. It seemed that being hosts didn't seem to add to one's chances as pretty much everyone had Belgium down to beat England and not only make the final but win the World Cup.

There was nothing wrong in saying that as Belgium were on paper the team that should go all the way with all the players that made many bet confidently their money and maybe their homes that Belgium would get out of this match alright, though that all being said there was a case of this Belgium side being something of a side that was perhaps a little too good to be true.

England manager Gareth Southgate would admit his side were lacking in compared to Belgium yet there had been signs that this Belgian side wasn't quite the team that everyone liked to rave about in which during their game with Japan, Belgium found themselves 2-0 down before saving themselves to dramatically win 3-2 and who knows how the fall out would've gone if they lost. Then in the game after that, Wales took the game to Belgium in which ended on penalties in which the Belgians got out of that with luck. Though surely luck has to run out eventually...right?

Flags on show before the semi final clash
​

The Belgians had brought along a big support with them with the hope that they would be seeing history of reaching a final yet they were only numbered by the large amount of England fans there and there had been a somewhat amusing incident in which a large group of Belgian supporters had driven up all the way to Sunderland and yet got a rather nasty response from the locals asking where about in Newcastle was Sunderland...less said the better.

Nonetheless with both sides looking right up to play for a place in the final, the game began and just as many had expected, Belgium started off on the front foot with England barley having getting a touch on the ball, let alone try for a shot at target. The Belgians would nearly slam in the opener after just 6 minutes when Eden Hazard narrowly missed the target with a low, left-footed drive before seeing a curler with his right deflected over the crossbar by the head of Raphaël Varane.

Then just another 3 minutes later, Hazard caused more terror on England when he was crossed the ball by Fellaini and ran on the counter towards goal in which he slammed into the top right corner of the goal yet to his dismay saw the ball clatter on the corner post and went out for a goal kick. England were being battered early on and Belgium were showing the world why they were the best team in this tournament. What on earth were England to do to get out of this one?

Early moments of the match with the Belgians dominating.
​

What was more of a frustrating thing for England was that Harry Kane, England's main top goal scorer, had been reduced to a cameo role in this match as he hadn't been able to get the ball due to the fact that Belgium had been on top of this game and the poor England defenders were being driven into the ground. However his and England's first chance came in the 14th minute when he tried to volley in the ball yet sent the shot flying way over the bar and wasting a rare chance for England.

The next five minutes of the game though would prove to be, a very loose sense, some of England's best play as they managed to keep the ball for most spells with it given their fans some confidence that they might be starting to finally get back into it...alas, it was just five minutes of nothing in hindsight as Belgium quickly rallied to push back the English, much the annoyance and frustration of the supporters of the Three Lions.

Another chance came for the Belgians in the 26th minute when Fellaini fired a shot on target that looked like it was going into the top corner if it weren't for Jordon Pickford to prevent the ball going in and his touch managed to divert the ball on to the roof of the net and out for a Belgian corner. The corner itself came to nothing but Belgium were putting the English under their thumb and looked to be only a matter of time until they scored first...

Going for goal...
​

One would've thought that Belgium would've found the back of the net by the 35th minute but to the bemusement of many, England had kept out waves of Belgium attacks and while their style of playing all defensive wasn't going to win support for the neutrals it was working a treat for England though one had to ponder how long they could keep this up for before the inevitable moment came in which the Belgians broke through.

There would be a moment of controversy in the 39th minute when England won a free kick and Trippier sent it over towards Kane in the box though the England forward would, during a crowded moment in the box trying to get the ball, get barged to the ground by Witsel. Though Belgium managed to clear the ball away, the English felt that they should've gotten a penalty or at least some form of action from the referee, but it seemed that either he nor even VAR seemed to think anything of it and it did feel like it was going to be one of those days for England.

As the first half approached it's climax, the Belgians began to take their foot off the gas it seemed that with England playing stoutly all game that it wasn't worth risking trying to put all men forward in case England got a shock lead towards the end and even then with them going easy on England it didn't make it easier for the Three Lions as if nothing had changed. The whistle for half time blew and the score was still stuck at 0-0 despite the many (Belgian) chances. Surely a goal had to come sooner or later...?

Players come together at half time with another 45 minutes still to play for a place at Wembley...

---------
​

England had been too safe, period. That was the message being said about how unimpressive England had been though to be fair it was unfair to label them as that due to the fact that their opponents were this tough as nails Belgian side in which had already put their fellow British sides Scotland and Wales to the sword. Were the Belgians going to make it a hattrick with England?

Despite the fact that Southgate had ordered his players to be a little bit more adventurous in the second half, Belgium pretty much started from where they left off by trying to push England back in their quest to break the deadlock. Some things never change and despite the home support roaring England on, sometimes having the crowd pushing you all the way doesn't always help.

Belgium came again in the 56th minute when Lukaku tried to fire another shot on target in which Pickford managed to get a fingertip on the ball in order to divert it off course. By now it must've felt like the hundred attempt on target by how many times Belgium were knocking at the door and then in the 61st minute, England would make a change with Marcus Rashford coming on to replace Raheem Sterling. Maybe this could be the spark needed to help England?

Fellaini goes past two English players in which sums up how much Belgium have been dominating England
​

As the game reached the 65th minute mark and the game still tied at 0-0, one was beginning to think that maybe, just maybe, that Belgium had really wasted the game by not scoring at least one goal in this match and that all that possession of the ball would come to haunt them and it seemed by now England were finally starting to pick up in the game by going forward with Rashford making a fairly decent attempt in the 70th minute in which hit the crossbar.

Despite all the small probing from England (in which the only major thing that happened to Belgium was a substitution in the 72nd minute with Mertens coming on for Mousa Dembele) they didn't seem to be getting any luck with this sudden sense of confidence though they would be awarded a free kick in the 76th minute when Witsel fouled Dele Alli on the edge near the box and Trippier stepped up to take it with him standing some 30 yards away from goal and it looked to be quite a good position too.

With four red shirted players lined up and standing in his way, Trippier awaited the all clear from the referee to take the free kick. With a blast on the whistle, he kicks the ball over the wall and into the top right corner of the net and with that, utter eutrophic joy erupts from the Stadium of Light and Trippier runs over to the side of the pitch in which he is dogpiled by his teammates and many are left speechless, either for better or for worse, at the crazy situation that has just happened...England are 1-0 up on Belgium!

Trippier's reaction to his goal says it all
​

The Belgian players are left livid at what has happened; after all that hard work to find a goal has not only come to nothing, but now see's England less that 12 minutes away from reaching the final unless the men in red can get back. There is now an angry response from the Belgians as they show England no mercy in fighting them back despite the gloating and somewhat annoying, at least to the Belgians, singing of 'Three Lions' by the mass England fans now surely expecting their moment of glory to reach Wembley.

Two more attacks from Belgium follow in both the 79th minute and 82nd minute respectably in which for the former De Bruyne tried to make a cheeky chip past Pickford but only landed the ball on the roof of the net while for the latter, Hazard made a darting run past Stones and Walker but his finishing proved to be a disappointment in which Pickford, who had been having the game of his life, manged to save only thanks to his leg getting in the way and blocking it. Truly it was now starting to fall apart for Belgium.

For the many Belgian fans there, they felt a range of emotions, must of them with frustration and regret. How they had let this game slip after being by far the better side was a mystery and the other factor was how England didn't deserved to win this...if only either England hadn't defended all game while Belgium had been better with their finishing.

Belgian fans react at their team on the verge of going out of the World Cup
​

Belgium's bad luck would come to ahead when in the 89th minute, they won a corner and it would be Mertens who'd get he head on the ball and aimed at the England goal and even though the ball hit the bar, it bounced downward where it landed and Pickford had to get his hands on the ball which before long everyone could see Mertens run off to celebrate a dramatic last gasp equaliser.

However many held their breath when goal line technology had to be used to examine if the ball had crossed the line or not and many, even Pickford who had gotten his hands on the ball, were not sure about the situation. The referee checked and then came a controversial choice. No goal. Even though it was the right call, albeit very narrowly, the Belgians more furious thinking that they had been cheated out at getting back into the game.

It summed up of how incredibly unlucky they were not to get something out of this game and despite Belgium manging to rally round to a get a goal, it all comes to nothing as before long and after 3 minutes of added time, the final whistle is blown with Belgium going out and England sneaking their way into the final. Cue tears of joy from the English and tears of despair from the Belgians.

England players celebrate on reaching the final
​

It is a bitter affair for the Belgians who would say that the better team lost and it would be a view that many around the world would agree on that England were underserved victors. Would though anyone in England care? Not a chance, after this and the other tight victory they had over France, this England team now felt confident that their unbeaten record playing a tournament at home would help with their fourth.

Now all they could do was wait to find out the following evening as to who their opponents would be in the final. One thing was for certain that after the manner England had won, it would be the team that would win the other semi final that everyone would back in the final though everyone could only speculate as to who might make it as this World Cup had brought up many shocks.

Those with a romantic view on how the final would act out however...

---------
​

Poor Belgium, much like how France screwed the Belgians over IOTL, England do the same here though don't exactly win anyone any favours. Anyway not much to say other than the fact we just have two updates left and then the TL, at least until Euro 2020, will be 'completed' with major updates. Quite a strange thought really.

Anyway, next update will be Uruguay vs Scotland and who will make it to the final now? Find out next time!

​

 

[Coulsdon Eagle]

Despite being English, I share the sense of desolation in Belgium, as that was a team that deserved its efforts being crowned as winners.

Saw Gareth Southgate on his first team debut at Palace up at Anfield in 1990/91 season. Only 90/120 minutes away from a K!

 

[QTXAdsy]

Chapter 167: Painful Memories
​

With a short distance to travel from Scotland to Manchester and not having to worry about passports or visa checks, it wasn't a surprise to see the Tartan Army travel south in their thousands and the sight of many Scots swarming across Manchester did give the locals memories of when just over ten years ago Rangers came down, all one hundred and fifty thousand of them, to see their side play in the UEFA cup final. It might've not been the best memories for the Manchester police in which following Rangers' victory, some of their supports got just had one too many that nearly caused a riot. Despite the Tartan Army's reputation being for the most part being sound, the sight of many police forces nearby did show that no one was taking any chances.

Of the one hundred and seventy thousand strong Scots here in Manchester, only fifty thousand had tickets for the semi final in Old Trafford, eleven of them would be playing and one of them, Gordon Strachan, had his own painful memories of their opponents they were to play, Uruguay. When mentioning painful memories they were quite literally painful memories as those who remember history in which during the 1986 World Cup, Strachan was involved in a vicious tackle from Jose Baitista in which saw the Uruguayan player sent off within the first minute of the game and still is the fastest sending off in World Cup history.

Though Scotland would get the last laugh to win and go through to the next round, the game was certainly one of the more infamous games that Scotland played in and interestingly encounters with Scotland and Uruguay were rare with their first meeting being in 1950 and on that occasion the South Americans would inflect the Scots their first World Cup defeat as they would eventual win the World Cup, however the Scots would get revenge four years later and knock the champions out. A rematch between these two small football mad nations had been a long time coming.

Strachan's last encounter with Uruguay in 1986
​

As well as the healthy amount of Scots that had descended on Manchester they were joined by many Scots living in Manchester with one of them being more famous than most, Sir Alex Ferguson. Like Strachan he had been there when Scotland last played Uruguay as the manager and had found the game to be a right horrid affair and through this World Cup, he had been trying to get support from the local population to get behind the Scots and make it the final; not the first time he had done it at Euro '96 when the Scots coincidently had also played their semi final here and won. Would lightning strike in the same place twice?

From the VIP seats, Ferguson sat among various famous faces and watched Old Trafford bathed in blue from all around and feeling a sense of pride that, if all going well, his country would be playing in their fourth World Cup final and to add more spice to it, it would at Wembley against England. The stars were truly aligned for Scotland to take the moment and there was one thing that both set of players and supporters shared in common, the relief of not playing Belgium. Though many would say that England didn't deserve to win that game, privately both Scots and Uruguayans alike were glad it was England they were facing as they knew both had a chance to beat the hosts if either got to the final.

It would be an electric atmosphere as both sides emerged from the tunnel with the South American side dressed in their usual colours of light blue and black while the Scots would be playing in their away kit of yellow and dark blue, however many Scots weren't so keen on that away kit due to the fact the only game they had lost was when playing in that kit, then again it was Belgium. If pressure was on the Scots to make it an all British final then the same could be said for Uruguay for despite feeling proud that they had played more games than their Argentine and Brazilian rivals, they were the sole South American side left and now had to fly the flag. No pressure indeed.

After a emotional rendition of both anthems being sung and the usual pre-match pictures being taken, the Argentine referee blew his whistle and the game began with the Scots showing some early promise by keeping the ball for a lot of the game and while they may had not been aiming for the target much to everyone's surprise, it would appear that the idea was to frustrate the Uruguayans and make them come at them in which would make them make a mistake and thus maybe a chance for Scotland to take the advantage. After 10 minutes of the first half, the game hadn't exactly gone off with a bang like when they last met and looked quite a tight affair in which no one wanted to screw up. It did look like to be a long day...

A long day ahead, two Scotland players during the semi final with Uruguay
​

The best chance of the game so far would fall to Uruguay in the 16th minute when Stuauni nearly scored from a corner in which he headed the ball to the top left of the goal but only managed succeeded in hitting the corner post in which the ball bounced over to Andy Robertson who quickly booted the ball up the field to get it away. Oh, how the game could've changed if that had gone in...

Rather than fight back from that, Scotland seemed to cut a frustrated side in which Uruguay seemed to notice this and began to push the Scots back into their area and it was here that several challenges began to take place with a bad one coming in the 20th minute when Graeme Shinnie made a tackle on Suárez that sent the Uruguayan player flying and it looked to be a bad one that could've been a red card type challenge, instead the referee would bring out a yellow card much to everyone's surprise and the Uruguay players felt some collusion was going on with the referee being Argentine...

However, some karma would come for Uruguay (if you did think of that) in the 27th minute when after a fairly tense period, Scotland captain Scott Brown would make a sliding tackle on Torreira which while looked to be a clean challenge, he landed in a bad way which saw the captain on the floor in pain and despite efforts from the Scottish medical team, it was clear that he couldn't play and, even if Scotland did make the final, he would play no part in the rest of the game as he was helped off limping all the way as Kenny McLean had to make a sudden change with the captain's armband going to Andy Robertson. Unknown to everyone then that even if Scotland were going to make the final, it would Scott Brown's final appearance in a Scotland shirt as his injury looked to be quite a bad one. What would Scotland do now?

Stuauni who nearly scored the opener for Uruguay
​

The wasn't really anything to note in the first half other than the fact that both seemed more interested in cancelling each other out and many watching had to wonder when the goals would start flying in. The only thing that could be considered a highlight was the sound being heard of both sets of supporters trying to make themselves heard more and the Uruguayans were putting up a good show despite being outnumbered by the swarms of Scots that had taken many parts of the stadium.

It would be in the 35th minute than Scotland's first good chance came in which Andy Robertson had the ball and crossed it over towards John McGinn who made a darting run towards the box and many in the stadium rose thinking something big was about to happen and McGinn would pass the ball over towards Ryan Fraser who found himself in a good area and slammed the ball into the top right corner and would've gone in had it not been from the stretched arms of Muslera which kept the chance of Scotland going 1-0 up.

The game then seemed to go into the favour of the Scots in which just six minutes later, Scotland tried again which another shot with Steven Naismith trying to score but unlike Fraser's shot which went on target, Naismith only succeeded in send the ball over the bar and out for a goal kick. The first nearly ended though in dramatic fashion when right into the last minute of three minutes of added time, Suárez nearly scored a dramatic last ditch volley from 40 yards out and it came so close to going in but in the end hit the crossbar. It would be the last kick of the first half and both sides went off feeling that they should've gotten something out of this game. It had been a pretty bad game of football and many hoped the second half would be an improvement.

So close, Fraser nearly scoring for Scotland

---------
​

Both manager had a lot to say to their respected teams during the break and the main goal was, quite literally, get a goal soon as possible. Indeed this seemed to have an effect as both sides went out there with the start of the match being quite an dramatic end-to-end game which despite there being no goals being scored it was looking to be a more exciting half of football and it would be the South American side who nearly had the chance to claim first blood in the 47th minute when Suarez curled the ball in from the left but Allan McGregor would get on the ball first and denied the Uruguayan player a goal.

It would then be in the 52nd minute that the South Americans would make their first changed with Stuani coming off to be replaced by Maxi Gomez as what would seemed like a tacit change for them. The game enter then something of a tedious period after the 56th minute in which no one seemed to be having a chance to get something on for goal and unlike the other semi final in which the Belgians did everything they could to win the game, here it looked as though both sides seemed to think trying not to lose was more important than winning and the jeers that followed a bad pass that went off the field for a throw in pretty much described the scene.

It was turning into a truly awful final with the Scots looking somewhat like a deer in the headlights while Uruguay looked like a side that was exhausted following their penalty shoot out victory in the Quarter finals; all of this would contribute to what was a game that left many neutrals watching on TV to simply switch off and who could blame them? There was one penalty call in the 64th minute which Scotland felt that they should've got after what looked like a tackle on Matt Phillips by Gimenez which the referee instead didn't think much of it much to the Scots' annoyance. As the game rolled into the final thirty minutes, some were now starting to feel penalties were looming.

That man, Suárez, tries to help get his team in front​

It did become noticeable that Old Trafford had started to sound more subdued the longer the score remained deadlock as it was far from a tense game but more laborious for the spectators who had hope to see a great game of football but were starting to feel rather cheated of paying good money for something like this. It seemed there would be more painful memories with games involving Scotland and Uruguay but not how some would've thought of it.

Then finally in the 73rd minute there would be a free kick for Uruguay with Suárez stepping up to take it some 30 yards away from the box. He would send it over the wall of Scottish players and looked like it was curling into the top left corner of the net and the noise from the South American faithful increased when they saw Allan McGregor failing to get his hands on it...but much to their agony, the ball clattered on the corner post and McGregor had to rush in to quickly grab the ball before a Uruguayan player came rushing in to hit the ball on the rebound.

Such good chances were being wasted and there would be another wasted chance, this time at the other end, in the 78th minute when Scotland had won a corner and Naismith got his head on the ball from the resulting corner kick but his ball whack on the post and bounced out to go out for a goal kick. The damn goalposts for both teams seemed to be winning the man of the match awards the way this semi was going. To put it bluntly after that missed shot, neither side managed to find the back of the net and the full 90 minutes would come to an end to a chorus of jeers from the supporters who now knew they had to sit through yet another 30 minutes of this God awful match. Surely, surely there had to be a goal somewhere?

Andy Robertson's reaction after knowing there is still yet 30 minutes of extra time to play

---------
​

If one was to say that if whoever got to the final and played like this would argue that not only neither side had a chance but that they might as well hand the trophy to England. That was roughly what a furious Strachan had berated his players as he pulled them in for a team talk as he had no intention of seeing a smug England winning at Wembley. They simply had to win here if they wanted to be part of history, but speaking of which was the weight of history starting to weigh on their shoulders?

The loss of their captain Scott Brown might've been a blow to the team but on paper they still had a handy side that could take out this Uruguay side. This time, the Scotland team went out there playing like they had nothing to lose and even though it made their defence look weak, they were willing to risk that to get a goal. This risk would nearly backfire when in the 97th minute, Rodriguez would nearly open the scoring from a volley in which McGregor made a stunning save to deny him breaking the deadlock.

That moment would be the time in which Scotland finally seemed to fire on all cylinders as now Uruguay seemed to look frustrated and tired that this game had not been put to death and the men in yellow began pushing Uruguay back and the Tartan Army found their voice again roaring their team forward there was suddenly a strange sense of positivity in the air...

One brave Scotland fan among a bunch of Uruguayan supporters
​

Despite their sudden positive play coming to nothing at the end of the first half of extra time, it would be the Scots who had a spring in their step knowing that if they kept this up then surely the game would be in their hands and thankfully for them, this play would carry on in the second period which only made hope in the hearts of many of the Scots that surely it was all or nothing.

There would be some cruel joy in the 109th minute of the game in which Suárez would get a booking following a squabble involving him and McGregor over what seemed like a strange foul in which while McGregor had made a clean save, the hot-headed Uruguayan player thought otherwise but was shown yellow for causing the game to be delayed and the Scottish fans to revel in the moment.

Then in the 113th minute became a turning point, a corner kick for Scotland was awarded and although the ball would be cleared away, it would fall to the feet of Ryan Jack who managed to slip the ball under towards Matt Phillips who was stationed in the penalty box and with a tight kick into the bottom left, the ball finally found the back of the net and Old Trafford erupted in a sea of blue. Scotland had finally broken the deadlock and what a way to score a goal in a World Cup!

Phillips lets his joy come out as Scotland take the lead
​

Despite the breakthrough, the game was far from as Strachan shouted from the touchlines to keep their heads together though deep down, he was feeling smug with those memories of their last encounter in Mexico filled his mind and that anti football like that would never get a team far. By now Old Trafford was rocking and Uruguay looked gutted and upset that the game was finally slipping away from them and no more was this more evident that in Suárez who looked even close to tears that his nation was on the verge of going out.

Scotland needed another goal to be absolutely sure to win the game and they would answer the call in which in the 119th minute and Uruguay now looking utterly broken, Ryan Fraser would send in a screamer of a volley from 30 yards out that slammed into the back of the net and that pretty much confirm Scotland's fate as when not long later, the final whistle blew and Scotland had, after such what could only be described as one of the worst semi finals ever, had made it for a date with destiny with England at Wembley.

The police did managed to prevent a pitch invasion but all over Manchester and Scotland, Scots everywhere couldn't believe it had happened. Not for the first time the Scots were to play the Auld Enemy at Wembley in a final, but the last two encounter had all been heart-breaking ends but would this be the third time lucky? Who knows, what matter was that Scotland was heading down the road to play in their fourth World Cup final.

Suárez in despair after Uruguay lose 2-0 to Scotland in extra time
​

Strachan would be presented with a lap of honour from the players who carried him on their shoulders to receive the acclaim from the Tartan Army who seemed firmly stuck on Cloud Nine. Indeed there had been a joke that whenever England hosted a tournament, England and Scotland always make the final and given the past record that had happened it seemed be one of football's jokes such as Germany never beating Italy at a World Cup or how the Germans never lose on penalties. In fact, the odds of such a final at the start of the tournament were placed at 74/1 which seemed quite a confident bet which no doubt some character out there had no doubt earned themselves a bit of money from this.

There was some sadness as the dust from the game settled down as Scott Brown's injury meant he could not play in the final and Andy Robertson would have to take the captain's armband for the final, the young Liverpool player must've been having a hell of season as two months ago he played in Champions League final with Liverpool, now he would be in a final with Scotland but would he have any luck this time round?

Nonetheless up and down Scotland, many were preparing to migrate south with the hope that the long held Scottish dream of winning the World Cup at Wembley and against England would finally become true. If Argentina could do it in Rio, why can't the Scots? It was going to be quite the build to the final that was for sure, question was would it be better than these two dreadful semi finals...?

14th July, a day before the final, the Tartan Army are seen boarding a flight at Inverness airport bound for London

---------
​

Now be honest, how many of you suspected it might come down to this? Anyway, one thing I will say that the final will be quite a exciting affair and you might be in for a shock with something I have planned that I'd think you might like. With the next update being the final 'big' update (not counting lesser updates such as look backs of minor tournaments missed out) which after will the TL go on hiatus until the end of Euro 2020, I was thinking that would be it be fun if you'd like to have a OC character of yours, aka some random fan, make a cameo in the last update when watching the match. Feel like this would be a way of thanking you guys for supporting this TL and giving something back.

Could be anyone, maybe some disgruntled fan, someone who lost a ticket or a member of staff that could make an appearance in the final chapter. And of course for the final time and for old times sake...predictions on the score and who might win? Whoever wins will defend the cup in Australia in 2022 that's all I'll say. So once again, don't miss the next update and as I write this I'm quite stunned that after three years were getting near the end...see you next time!

​

 

[Yülia]

So, I think I have finally learned my lesson. Scotland always wins. Really need to stop picking their opponent.

But, Have to say England.

More seriously, Scotland this time. Because I despise English fans for their "bringing it home" crap.

Sent my friends a wall of croatian flags IRL when they won. I'm just a spiteful Germany fan.

I'd still watch every match of this WC, but I'd be very disgruntled after my like 10th incorrect pick. So far gone from being almost perfect in 2014 OTL.

 

[HawkAussie]

Well done on possibly completing this timeline. Maybe while you wait for Euro 2020 to come round, you could work on the club scene of the home nations in another wonderful timeline.

 

[QTXAdsy]

Chapter 168: It All Comes Down To This
​

Wembley, London - 15th July 2018.

The World Cup Final; England vs Scotland.

It was the final that many in the UK would've wanted and it was not the first time the two oldest football nations had crossed paths in a final in this very same place. Over 54 years ago they played here in a World Cup final then in which England battered Scotland 3-1, the next would be 30 years later in which England won again this time via a dramatic Golden Goal winner. Now here they were again and would lightning strike in the same place once again or were the Scots finally about to get their revenge and achieve the dream of every Scottish football fan of winning the World Cup at Wembley?

There was a huge English contingent milling around London heading from many parts of the country, but even so there was an almighty Scottish support of something 200,000 strong, the vast majority of which didn't have tickets but just wanted to be there for the final. Without question it was the largest gathering of the Tartan Army in it's history and to as the Scotland fans gathered at their usual meet up point of Trafalgar square, it was so densely packed that there nothing but a sea of bodies.

Either way, there was a feeling among supporters that despite the previous finals, there was a sense that this was it, it would all come down to this that whoever won it would be the last time either would see each other in a final with the way the football world was always developing. The day of the game had now been agreed to be a bank holiday after much public demand who all wanting to experience this moment.

In Trafalgar Square, some pre match antics
​

While the British public had been looking forward for the final, many around the world were rather lukewarm about it as once again the fact that many claimed the British had an unfair advantage and it many were pointing out how the two semi finals before were being said by many as two of the worst semi finals seen due to the fact that not only were they dull and impressive games in which the losers were the ones everyone wanted in the final (though Belgium and Uruguay would play each other in the 3rd place game at Liverpool in which the Belgians won 2-0) and so there was pressure on both sides to not only try and win the cup but also make the final better than those two terrible semis.

Wembley had filled up nicely and there was the added fact that members of the Royal family, as with the 1966 and 1996 finals, would also be there to be there to watch the closing ceremony and the final. Indeed prior to the game there had been a joke among many of what colour would be the Queen be dressed in; blue for Scotland or White for England? In the end she would appear in the Royal Box dressed (perhaps wisely) in neutral green. Only trouble for the Royal Family in question is were would their loyalties lie with two Home Nations competing?

The atmosphere was amazing to say the least with both supporters given it all as both sides emerged from the tunnel to appear and lined up for the anthems with Jerusalem for England and Flower of Scotland for the Scots with God Save the Queen being the final anthem sung with the Queen present and the Tartan Army who had famously booed that anthem whenever it played, would manage to keep quiet for once as if they didn't all want to end up in the Tower of London to disrespect royalty in the stadium. Nonetheless as soon as the Argentine referee blew his whistle, the 21st World Cup final began to a roar from the crowd that seemed to shake Wembley.

Gordon Strachan watches on as he prepares to manage the biggest game of his life
​

The best way to describe the open period of the game was loose. Neither seem to have their defence switched on and there seemed to be a sense of carelessness in both sides if they had let the occasion get to them, still it did make an open game so far. Shortly it would be the Scots who would quickly get their heads together sometime round the 8th minute mark and their pressing was well noticed by the Scotland fans who began roaring them loudly every time there was a counter attack though most of the time England would come out and stop them.

However it would England oddly enough in the 12th minute that would get the first chance when against the run of play they managed to win a corner and it would've been a heart stopping opening from Raheem Sterling banging it in to the left had Allan McGregor not reacted quick as he did to deny the English player the goal. Little did the Scotland goalkeeper knew was that he would be doing a fair bit saving towards the end of the game...

Then in the 18th minute, Leigh Griffiths was making a darting run on the counter down on the left with several English players surrounding him. He knew that he couldn't take them all on and saw his fellow Celtic teammate, James Forrest, nearby the box and with a flick over John Stones, Forrest found himself right near the edge of the penalty box and with a great volley he slammed home the ball into the back of the net to give the Scots an early lead and send the Tartan Army into fits of delirium that they were ahead in a World Final. Just like how it all started in the 1966 final, what a start!

The man of the moment being congratulated by his teammates
​

The English support were stunned into silence but nonetheless despite their setback, England carried on trying to break down Scotland though deep down were cursing their luck for not having that attempted goal happen so early on in the game. However that setback of goal was starting to see England peg the Scots back into their own half and it would that man, Harry Kane, that was causing problems for Scotland and came close to scoring in the 24th minute but he was stopped thanks to Charlie Mulgrew manging to divert the shot to go out for a corner.

The previously joyful Tartan Army were now growing worried that the opening goal had more of made England angry and out for blood than anything else and it would then be in the 30th minute in which their fears came to the surface in which Mulgrew, who had previously prevented Kane from scoring would find himself trying to stop Kane but accidently slipped trying to stop the England captain who had little trouble to simply slip past him and slam the ball into the roof of the net to give England the equaliser.

The England fans rose to their feet delighted that they were back in the game with Mulgrew cutting a figure of a man who wanted to the ground to swallow him for such an embarrassing slip up which would be joked much on social media. That all being said it was game on and with that goal, England now had woken up and their tails were up as they now went on the attack to try and find a second goal before the break.

Kane celebrates with the equaliser
​

Scotland now found themselves on the backfoot and Gordon Strachan knew that his side were needing to regroup and plan for what was needed for the second half but at the moment the only thing that they could do was try and make sure England wouldn't score again and it would appear that Mulgrew was going to get the brunt of the anger of the Scots who was at fault for letting that goal happen.

England nearly took the lead in the 36th minute from a Dele Alli chip that nearly went in but thankfully for the Scots hit the bar to go out for a goal kick. Scotland were clearly riding their luck as this first half wore on in which after such a wonderful start that it was starting to go all off the rails for them. However there was one rare bit of joy for the Scots in the 42nd minute when they won a free kick after Forrest was cut down by Jorden Henderson. Griffiths, standing some 5ft from the penalty box, would take it and nearly sent the ball into the top right of the net but England goal keeper Jorden Pickford would stop the Scottish player from scoring a belter of a free kick. Oh, if only...

Eventually it would turn out that the free kick would be the last main event to happen in this first half as before anyone knew it, it was half time and just like in the previous finals before, the game stood at 1-1 and had proven to be a breathless final that you couldn't take your eyes off. However defence wise both had been anything but impressive and a lot of talking to would be needed for the second half. Which side of the border would the World Cup be ending up in?

A lot to think about as Forrest heads off for halftime...

---------
​

Those hope for both sides to throw the kitchen sink at each other but instead the world was presented with a rather iffy game in which neither side seemed to find a way through to find the goal with perhaps the only time anyone had a chance to score coming from Danny Rose in which he shot when way over the bar and the Tartan Army in Wembley cheering ironically. Not really a good half so far.

The referee had been rather easy with the tackles by not showing any cards but it would be in the 52nd minute in which the first booking came from Eric Dier on John McGinn which seemed to flatten the Scottish player. Nonetheless a free kick for Scotland followed in which Griffiths went to take the free kick but much with Rose before, his shot blazed over the bar with the English fans goading the Scottish player. How dreadful had it been that neither had been able to score.

The first substitute of the game would be for England in the 58th minute in which Jesse Lingard would go on to replace Danny Rose as it had become noticeable that Rose had been looking rather tired and didn't seem all that right. Those hoping for the change to make a difference in the game were left disappointment as no change seemed to happen and many started to wonder if the game was going to head to extra time.

Henderson trying to help his side to find the second goal
​

Things did start to get heated in the 65th minute when there was a coming together between Andy Robertson and Raheem Sterling in which both fell to the ground and a shouting match followed in which several players tried to stop the scene getting out of hand and in the end saw the Scotland captain shown a yellow card and the referee awarding England a free kick.

Kieran Trippier's free kick did come close to going in but thankfully for the Scots the ball literally rubbed past the post and yet another chance for England went a passing. Some 4 minutes later, it was Scotland's turn to try their luck with Steven Naismith trying to score and he would do rather well by getting past several English players and went to score but his shot would be saved by Jorden Pickford who dived to the left that was quite a brilliant save. It had been by far the best chance of the game.

The 74th minute would see Scotland's first swap of the match which surprised many in which Kenny McLean would be brought on for Scott McTominay which seemed a strange one as he had been putting quite a performance, however it looked like this part of a plan to win the game. Then again both managers had their own ideas of how to win, the question was who would be lucky here?

Naismith calls for assistance
​

In a very somewhat fitting number of the 77th minute for those with a Scottish mindset, Ryan Christie slipped Naismith the ball and he found himself unmarked and many of the Tartan Army rose to their feet expecting something to happen...and it did. He blasted the ball past the hands of Pickford and for and Scotland had scored...! But alas, the dreaded sight of the linesman's flag being rose up and ruling that goal offside due to where Naismith had been standing. The Tartan Army weren't too happy with that and cries of 'cheat!' could be heard.

The game became more tighter with it looking like either were going to pull off a late winner and in the 84th minute, England would win a corner and it was a heart stopping moment when Maguire headed the ball into the top left and the ball would fly past Alan McGregor's hands and for a moment, it looked like a dramatic late winner...instead the ball clattered on the corner post and went out for a goal kick. The amount of near misses in this match was insane and there was the fear that if this match was sorted by a late winner, and how restless the crowd was about to set off, a possible riot might happen.

However it would be the end of 90 minutes of what had been quite an see-saw game that nobody seemed to get the better of the other and now, much like in 1996, the game would have to be settled in extra time and maybe, for better or for worse, penalties. This was turning into one of the most epic encounters between this two old rivals and to say pride was on the line would be a massive understatement.

England players during the break before extra time with the supporters looking on

---------
​

Whatever Gordon Strachan had said to his players during that break seemed to work. Scotland went flying out of the traps and just wouldn't give England a chance to find their footing in the game and it seemed the idea was the hold the ball and not try and let the ball loose unless really needed. The English supporters now began to fear the worse the more Scotland seemed to play with more urgency and that their team might now collapse from the pressure both from the Scotland team playing them off and of being the host nation finally getting to them.

All this hard work for Scotland would finally pay off when in the 98th minute, John McGinn would blast a shot on target in which although Pickford saved, the ball bounced out of his grasp and Naismith rushed in to hammer the ball in on the rebound to give the Scots the shock lead and cause the Tartan Army to go crazy as too with many Scotland fans worldwide with the likely cries of 'Gaun Yerself!' being cried out by fans somewhere out in the world.

For England, their supporters could only cover their eyes in horror knowing that their worst nightmare seemed like it was about to happen and with the way Scotland had played in extra time, how on earth were they going to get out of this? Scotland though did seem to take their foot off the gas with Naismith going off in the 103rd minute to be replaced by Steven Fletcher as if the game was more or less over. But as Scotland went into the break at 2-1 in extra time, the game still had 15 minutes still to play...

Naismith and Co. celebrate getting the goal in extra time.
​

The second half of extra time told a completely different story as with Scotland more interested in seeing the game out, that only gave England the fighting spirt to go out and get back in this game in which they did have talent to take down this Scotland side but yet they did seem to struggle to break down the Scottish team and pressure was starting to be felt by all.

England's secret weapon at the start of the second half of extra time was to take off Raheem Sterling and bring on Marcus Rashford and it would prove to be a brilliant plan from Gareth Southgate as the substitute would battle through the Scottish backline and showing his teammates that they could get a goal, however by the 116th minute and with time running out...was it too late?

Right on the 119th minute and with perhaps with the Scottish population with one mind of cracking open the whisky bottles and putting up the bunting, it all happened so fast when Kane suddenly found himself with John Souttar on his side and Allan McGregor going toe to toe with him, knowing he couldn't get past them, Kane quickly slipped the ball over towards Rashford who found the goal wide open and with a simple tap in, England had equalised in dramatic fashion and the roar of the English supporters in Wembley really showed what it meant. Heartbreak for the Scots to be pulled like that, now the after perhaps one of the most dramatic finals in living memory, the final was to come down to a penalty shootout...

Somewhere in that pile is Rashford...
​

For those who had complained that the two semi finals before had been terrible, there would be no doubt that the final was more than worthy to make up for those games, though if you were to ask either what Gareth Southgate or Gordon Strachan what they thought about penalties, neither wanted to do it. Scotland may have had some penalty experience in the past yet this would be virgin territory for England...

England would go up first with, who else, their captain Harry Kane to take the first spot kick and despite McGregor going the right way, Kane managed to squeeze in the first penalty. First for Scotland on their spot kick would be Steven Fletcher and he would have no trouble in burying his penalty in the back of the net. For England next, Rashford. He would send the ball right down the middle and making McGregor go the wrong way.

Scotland's next taker would be John McGinn and he would send the ball into the top left, though Pickford nearly did his hands on it. 4 clean penalties all together so far, who would slip up next? For starters it wouldn't be England's next taker, Eric Dier would snuck it into the bottom right. Then for Scotland came Griffiths who would make a dummy run and fire the ball right down the middle. Very cheeky.

It seemed that this shootout was going to go on all night as Trippier fired in his shot, poor McGregor not having a chance. Scotland would tie the shootout at 4-4 when James Forrest powered the ball into the roof of the net and Pickford once again just narrowly missing out. Then it came down to Jordon Henderson for England and he would fire the ball to the left, however McGregor guessed right and saved the ball, cue an massive roar from the Scotland fans who then realised that if captain Andy Robertson put this shot away, Scotland would be World Champions...

The tension was horrendous as Robertson walked up to the spot, though he must've felt horrible for his Liverpool teammate having missed his shot that could ultimately have given the cup to Scotland...that is unless the captain would not crack under the pressure as he faced down Pickford. How funny this must've been, two players who played on either side of Liverpool were here to decided the fate of who would win the World Cup. Never had Merseyside seen anything quite like it...

With a blast on the whistle, Robertson fired his shot to the top left, sending Pickford the wrong way and would find himself being stampeded by his teammates. It happened...Scotland had won the World Cup at Wembley. The Tartan Army threatened to spill onto the field for a pitch invasion though a large police presence kept them back but it would be very hard for them to leave either after this. No longer Unofficial champions now that was for sure!

Contrast scenes of emotion of who won and lost
​

There were many a tear in the eye of many a Scot either there in London or back home as what had just happened, having seen many years in which they had watched the name 'England' being scribed on the base of the trophy, seeing the word 'Scotland' on it was indeed one of those pinch me moments. Gordon Strachan himself was speechless as it hadn't sunk in, was this a dream? He could quite retire now and live in the knowledge of being the first Scotland manager to lift the World Cup, though he did have to congratulate Gareth Southgate for what he had done.

The England manager was likely to stay on for Euro 2020, but for now, the England players and fans would have to lick their wounds as after the English players had gone up the stairs to collect their runners up medals to watch the Scots go up next to receive the Jules Rimet from the Queen in which Andy Robertson was nearly shaking at this main honour that no Scottish player could ever say they had done. As he raised the cup high in the air with the remaining Tartan Army not willing to leave Wembley and perhaps stay here, it all dawned on everyone. Scotland were champions of the World.

The scenes of jublialation were there to be seen around Scotland, from Gretna Green to John O'Groats, the country celebrated and finally getting on the hands on a cup they all felt they believed Scotland deserved. International football was created in Scotland and thus, the World Cup was truly 'Coming Home'. The following week after that final, the country seems to grind to a halt, Garbage is not collected, post isn't delivered, public transport doesn't seem to run for the most part, grass is not cut and it is like everyone's birthday has happened at once.

Once things did calm down sometime later, Scotland now knew they had the interesting situation of defending the World Cup Down Under while within a few years, the chance of trying a double at Wembley at Euro 2020. And to think that Scotland, and the rest of the Home Nations' football adventures began all the way back in 1950 in Brazil...a lot has changed all thanks to football and with British football setting out to show that they were and will, hopefully, be the masters of the game...

Whatever next for the nations of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland?

Final results of the knockout stage of the 2018 World Cup

---------
​

...It's done...after over three years of work...the TL (at least for now) is finished. And yes, I was always wanting Scotland to win someday and here, the dream that we all have at winning at Wembley does happen. To think football in this country could've been different if only Scotland had gone out to Brazil in 1950...

Anyway, thank you all for supporting and reading this TL. I always wanted a British football TL that had the Home Nations doing well and when I found out there wasn't one, I had to do it myself but rather than focus purely on Scotland and England, Wales and Northern Ireland all got their chance to sign and likes of George Best, James McFadden, Ian Walsh, Ian Rush, Gareth Bale, David Healy and more all finally get to experience playing at a World Cup. Hopefully if you are of the nation of either of these players played for you would've been delighted by this.

It is going to be strange to let this TL go on hiatus until Summer 2020 for the big updates and then after that until 2022. I'll still do various little updates such as minor tournaments to cover such as Brazil '72 and a sight retcon on 1950 to add here. From the bottom of my heart and to where you might be either here in the British Isles, somewhere in Europe, North or South America or maybe further afield, thank you all for reading this TL and showing that it has been worth the while and hopefully this update was more than a worthy end (mostly if your Scottish) and that maybe I'll try something football related. I'd be happy to ask Q&A for how I started this TL, what I could've done differently and what could've happened with many results before changing them. Might be an interesting one that.

On a final note, where would you rank this football TL among some of the other sporting TL's on the site? Not to blow my own trumpet but I think I did OK But until we meet again, we come to the end...for now. Thank you after all these years!

​

 

[Wings]

It's happening lads. They did it.

 

[GeorgeUK]

IC: As I said to a Scotsman when I visited the Great Central Railway a month after the final, it's a good thing I'm half-Scottish. (We then went on to spend a good ten minutes debating which Black 5 the Great Central could/should have brought down for the gala...)

(OOC: I'm assuming that steam went out in August 1968 as in otl, which is the reason that I was at the Great Central in the first place)

 

[QTXAdsy]

IC: As I said to a Scotsman when I visited the Great Central Railway a month after the final, it's a good thing I'm half-Scottish. (We then went on to spend a good ten minutes debating which Black 5 the Great Central could/should have brought down for the gala...)

(OOC: I'm assuming that steam went out in August 1968 as in otl, which is the reason that I was at the Great Central in the first place)

Yes, steam still went out in 1968, though I have thought about doing a TL on different heritage railways for Scotland soon which would be set in this universe.

What has been your favourite tournament here?

 

[GeorgeUK]

Either Euro 96 or the 2002 World Cup.

 

[Ruperto Pesto]

Mr Q, your timeline has been a feastfull of football for our senses...I loved this WC 2018 conclusion, this happy ending for Scotland...that certainly I remember vividly where the place I was that day after lunch, erupted as if they were all scottish when Robertson fired his shot to the top left...it was marvellous!! One tend to think that after all these years, the rivalry between Argentina and England may seem lost, but when it comes to the world cup, that old antagonism revives beautifully. I still have my Scotland jersey, as many argentinians that purchased during those days...it was such an amazing feeling that reminds me when I was 11 years old, and Bielsa's Newells Old Boys defeated Boca Juniors (I'm River plate fan) at the title match in La Bombonera itself in 1991...I felt that weird joy, but beautiful joy indeed only football allows...

And everytime I have agnollotis for lunch, I remember that 2018 sunday

Looking forward new tournaments to cover up!