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Gemmill's brilliant goal was not enough to save Scotland from elimination. Steve Powell/Allsport |
Even by Scottish standards of failure (eight first round exits in eight appearances), the 1978 finals in Argentina have gone down in legend.
Fortunately Gemmill was to provide one of the memorable moments of the tournament to lift Scottish spirits.
Hailed as Scotland's greatest team ever, coach Ally McLeod had famously declared that he was going to Buenos Aires to bring home the cup. Thousands of people waved off the Scottish side and thousands more followed them to Argentina.
The tournament was a disaster. McLeod, admitting he knew nothing about opening opponent Peru, paid a heavy price for his complacency as his side lost 3-1. Worse was to follow as Scotland endured a dismal 1-1 with Iran and Willie Johnston was sent home in disgrace after failing a drugs test.
Typically, Scotland raised its game too late. It needed to beat the Netherlands by an unlikely three goals to survive but for a few minutes it seemed possible.
Gemmill, who had already put the Scots 2-1 ahead from the penalty spot, waltzed past three Dutch defenders into the penalty area before chipping the ball into the net to score one of the greatest goals in World Cup history.
Four minutes later the Dutch pulled the score back to 3-2, crushing Scotland's hopes once again. But the Scots went home with consolation that they had at least beaten the "total football" machine and Gemmill was instantly immortalized for his goal. In 2001 it was set to music and performed as a dance by 200 children at Hampden Park.
