4 June 1986 - Experience Can Be Overrated

On 4 June 1986, Denmark made their first appearance in the World Cup, joining Scotland, Uruguay, and West Germany in the tournament's "Group of Death."

Two years earlier, the Danes had impressed the international footballing community by advancing to the European Championship semifinals where they narrowly lost to Spain on penalty kicks, 1-1 (5-4). Still, they were considered to many to be underdogs of their World Cup group, which included two-time champions West Germany (1954, 1974) and Uruguay (1930, 1950), as well as Scotland, who were making their fourth consecutive appearance--and sixth overall--in the tournament.

But Denmark proved to be the surprise of the tournament, opening their campaign with a 1-0 victory over Scotland (who, in fairness, were still reeling over the death of their previous manager, Jock Stein, from a heart attack the previous December). The only goal came in the 57th minute, as striker Preben Elkjær received the ball on the left edge of the box, beat a defender, and rifled the ball past keeper Jim Leighton. It struck the far post and rebounded into the net.

It was a redemptive goal for Elkjær, who missed penalty in the Euro '84 shootout gave Spain the win. He followed it with a hat-trick in Denmark's next match, a 6-1 demolition of Uruguay. Denmark went on to win the group with a 2-0 win over West Germany and advanced to the Round of 16. There, their good fortune ended, as they faced their old enemy Spain and lost 5-1.

23 June 1998 - The Great Scottish Collapse

On 23 June 1998, Scotland exited the World Cup in disastrous fashion, losing 0-3 to Morocco in their last group stage match. In doing so, the Scots set the record for most tournament appearances without advancing out of the first round.

The two teams started the day level on one point each, both having lost to Brazil and drawn with Norway, but Morocco quickly demonstrated their intentions to separate themselves from the Scottish side. In the 22nd minute, a long pass from beyond the midfield stripe bounced in the left side of the Scots' box in front of onrushing Moroccan striker Salaheddine Bassir (pictured). Bassir took a single left-footed touch to blast the ball past keeper Jim Leighton, giving Morocco the lead.

They scored their second goal in similar fashion. In the 46th minute, an even longer pass flew over the Scottish back line into the path of striker Abdeljalil Hadda, who outraced defender David Weir to the box and fired a shot at Leighton, who had come off his line. Leighton palmed the ball up over his head, but it dropped into the goal to put Morocco up 2-0. Shortly afterward, Scotland were reduced to 10 men after midfielder Craig Burley received a straight red card for a rash tackle on Bassir. Bassir then completed the rout with an 85th-minute chip after beating defender Tom Boyd with a brilliant first touch.

The defeat stuck Scotland at the bottom of the group for their eighth first-round elimination in eight tournament appearances. Despite the result, Morocco were also eliminated, as Norway beat Brazil 2-1 to claim the group's second place.

27 August 1994 - Hunter Shoots (And Scores!)

On 27 August 1994, Hibernian defeated rivals Hearts 0-1 before a crowd of 13,500 at Tynecastle. The win ended Hibs' streak of 22 Edinburgh derbies without a victory--a streak that stretched back for five and a half years. 

It was only the third match of the season, but Hibs were flying high in second place in the table after a 5-0 win over Dundee United and a goalless draw with Kilmarnock. Hearts, on the other hand, were sitting in eighth position (out of ten), with a 1-3 loss at Aberdeen and a 1-1 draw at Motherwell. The Jambos were nonetheless optimistic, counting on their recent form over Hibs to continue. 

That optimism lasted until the 62nd minute, when Hibs defender and captain Gordon Hunter sent a 10-yard shot past Hearts keeper Nicky Walker. Hearts were unable to return the favor, as Hibs keeper Jim Leighton proved too resolute in goal and held on for his third consecutive clean sheet. 

The match was not without controversy, as Hearts midfielder Gary Mackay was sent off in the 74th minute after receiving his second booking and six other players--three from each side--received yellow cards. 

Hibs didn't have to wait another five and a half years for their next derby win--they defeated Hearts in their very next meeting, a 2-1 win at Easter Road on 29 October 1994. 

24 July 1958 - Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Leighton, He's A Keeper

On 24 July 1958, goalkeeper Jim Leighton was born in Johnstone, Scotland. He had a lengthy career that saw him become the oldest person to play for the national team and reach second on Scotland's all-time appearances list.

He started his career with non-league Dalry Thistle, then joined Aberdeen in July 1978, signed by their new manager, Alex Ferguson. He made 438 appearances, winning three league titles, four Scottish Cups, and the European Cup-Winners' Cup, before leaving with Ferguson in 1988 for Manchester United.

After two seasons at United, he fell out of favor with Ferguson and spent a year on loan at Arsenal, then later played for Reading, Dundee, Sheffield United, and Hibernian before returning to Aberdeen in 1997. He played there until his retirement in 2000, becoming the oldest player to appear in the Scottish Premier League at the age of 41 years, 302 days (St. Mirren's Andy Millen broke that record in 2007).

Leighton received his first call-up to the national team in 1982 and manned the posts for Scotland at the 1986, 1990, and 1998 World Cups (the Scots failed to qualify for the 1994 tournament). His final appearance for Scotland set the age record at 40 years, 2 months, and 6 days (though that was later broken in 2010 by David Weir). His 91 caps are the second-most of any Scottish player, just behind Kenny Dalglish (102).

4 June 1986 - Experience Can Be Overrated

On 4 June 1986, Denmark made their first appearance in the World Cup, joining Scotland, Uruguay, and West Germany in the tournament's "Group of of Death."

Two years earlier, the Danes had impressed the international footballing community by advancing to the European Championship semifinals where they narrowly lost to Spain on penalty kicks, 1-1 (5-4). Still, they were considered to many to be underdogs of their World Cup group, which included two-time champions West Germany (1954, 1974) and Uruguay (1930, 1950), as well as Scotland, who were making their fourth consecutive appearance--and sixth overall--in the tournament.

But Denmark proved to be the surprise of the tournament, opening their campaign with a 1-0 victory over Scotland (who, in fairness, were still reeling over the death of their previous manager, Jock Stein, from a heart attack the previous December). The only goal came in the 57th minute, as striker Preben Elkjær received the ball on the left edge of the box, beat a defender, and rifled the ball past keeper Jim Leighton. It struck the far post and rebounded into the net.

It was a redemptive goal for Elkjær, who missed penalty in the Euro '84 shootout gave Spain the win. He followed it with a hat-trick in Denmark's next match, a 6-1 demolition of Uruguay. Denmark went on to win the group with a 2-0 win over West Germany and advanced to the Round of 16. There, their good fortune ended, as they faced their old enemy Spain and lost 5-1.

23 June 1998 - The Great Scottish Collapse

On 23 June 1998, Scotland exited the World Cup in disastrous fashion, losing 0-3 to Morocco in their last group stage match. In doing so, the Scots set the record for most tournament appearances without advancing out of the first round.

The two teams started the day level on one point each, both having lost to Brazil and drawn with Norway, but Morocco quickly demonstrated their intentions to separate themselves from the Scottish side. In the 22nd minute, a long pass from beyond the midfield stripe bounced in the left side of the Scots' box in front of onrushing Moroccan striker Salaheddine Bassir (pictured). Bassir took a single left-footed touch to blast the ball past keeper Jim Leighton, giving Morocco the lead.

They scored their second goal in similar fashion. In the 46th minute, an even longer pass flew over the Scottish back line into the path of striker Abdeljalil Hadda, who outraced defender David Weir to the box and fired a shot at Leighton, who had come off his line. Leighton palmed the ball up over his head, but it dropped into the goal to put Morocco up 2-0. Shortly afterward, Scotland were reduced to 10 men after midfielder Craig Burley received a straight red card for a rash tackle on Bassir. Bassir then completed the rout with an 85th-minute chip after beating defender Tom Boyd with a brilliant first touch.

The defeat stuck Scotland at the bottom of the group for their eighth first-round elimination in eight tournament appearances. Despite the result, Morocco were also eliminated, as Norway beat Brazil 2-1 to claim the group's second place.

27 August 1994 - Hunter Shoots (And Scores!)

On 27 August 1994, Hibernian defeated rivals Hearts 0-1 before a crowd of 13,500 at Tynecastle. The win ended Hibs' streak of 22 Edinburgh derbies without a victory--a streak that stretched back for five and a half years.

It was only the third match of the season, but Hibs were flying high in second place in the table after a 5-0 win over Dundee United and a goalless draw with Kilmarnock. Hearts, on the other hand, were sitting in eighth position (out of ten), with a 1-3 loss at Aberdeen and a 1-1 draw at Motherwell. The Jambos were nonetheless optimistic, counting on their recent form over Hibs to continue.

That optimism lasted until the 62nd minute, when Hibs defender and captain Gordon Hunter sent a 10-yard shot past Hearts keeper Nicky Walker. Hearts were unable to return the favor, as Hibs keeper Jim Leighton proved too resolute in goal and held on for his third consecutive clean sheet.

The match was not without controversy, as Hearts midfielder Gary Mackay was sent off in the 74th minute after receiving his second booking and six other players--three from each side--received yellow cards.

Hibs didn't have to wait another five and a half years for their next derby win--they defeated Hearts in their very next meeting, a 2-1 win at Easter Road on 29 October 1994.