PENALTYpublished at 16:07 British Summer Time 31 May 2014
Penalty for Scotland!
Scotland are out of the 1978 World Cup
FT: Scotland 3-2 Netherlands
Rensenbrink scores from the spot
Dalglish and Gemmill twice reply for Scotland
Rep's goal left Scots needing two more
Watch game again on Red Button Mon 9 June, 22:30
Thomas McGuigan and Keir Murray
Penalty for Scotland!
"Johnston will be a sensation in Argentina," Ally MacLeod had said before this World Cup started. How prophetic were those words by the Scotland manager...
The West Brom winger took an over-the-counter medicine called Reactivan 90 minutes before the game against Peru. It contained the banned substance Fencamfamin. He and Kenny Dalglish were chosen for drug tests; Dalglish's sample was fine, but for Johnston, his failure of the test has caused an almighty stooshie in the Scotland camp and back in Scotland. The Scottish FA have sent the player on the first flight home. MacLeod had played Johnston 11 times in his reign since taking over from Willie Ormond, who had brought him back to the international scene against Sweden in April 1977 after a long absence. The SFA banned Johnston for ever, Fifa banned him for one year.
Here we go in the second half, can Scotland do it?
Kenny Dalglish's exquisite effort has given Scotland hope of prolonging their stay at the 1978 World Cup. They need to beat Netherlands by three clear goals but their enterprising opening half suggests they shouldn't be packing their bags en route to the airport just yet...
Stephen Hay: "Yesssss! C'mon Scotland, let's see what the Dutch are made of..."
Conor McMeekin: "Thoroughly enjoying the #78Argentina game, no idea how it's going to turn out! Great way to build World Cup atmosphere!"
Liverpool and Scotland striker Kenny Dalglish is marked closely by the Ajax and Netherlands captain Ruud Krol.
Scottish flags are flying. Kenny Dalglish's predatory strike rekindles Scotland's World Cup hopes after the blow of falling behind to that controversial penalty. Ally MacLeod has something to work with at the break and Ally's Army are still on the move...
Scotland have their tails up here and press for a second goal before the break. But the Dutch have seen this film before and almost catch out the Scots on the counter: they're like a cat toying with a mouse in the warm summer sun but Ally MacLeod's men appear up for the tussle...
BBC Match Commentator David Coleman
"Just the boost Scotland needed before half-time."
Come out from behind the couch, Scotland are level! Willie Donachie's cross from the left is headed clear but only as far as Graeme Souness, who immediately lofts a clever delivery in the direction of Jordan. The Manchester United centre-forward outmuscles his marker to cushion a header down for Kenny Dalglish to lash a half-volley high into the net from eight yards. The dream is alive...
Rensenbrink, Jansen and Boskamp trade passes with some clever interplay and could almost be forgiven for whistling the Harlem Globetrotters theme tune. The Scots, however, snuff out the danger before the Dutch can pressure Alan Rough.
Ross Cowie: "Ref isny picking up on these passbacks. Terrible officiating. #78Argentina" We wonder if they'll ever bring in a rule to sort out this nonsense!
Mike Martin: "Re penalty. He was entitled to go down there. #78Argentina"
Here come Scotland again, Kenny Dalglish's corner is headed clear and the Scots are once again foiled by the Dutch offside trap. This will prove the stuff of nightmares. "They've been caught so often," laments BBC match commentator Davie Coleman.
Can the Scots find a goal before the break? It would make the half-time slice of orange a little sweeter if they're able to restore parity.
Souness is everywhere at the moment and his long pass down the channel on the right finds Liverpool team-mate Dalglish darting into the penalty box. The striker's cross loops up off a defender and big Joe Jordan is after it, rising high at the near post, but Dutch keeper Jongloed is strong enough to withstand the challenge and knocks the ball out for a corner.
Archie Gemmill was booked for his robust views on the decision to award the penalty; the Scots needs to keep their cool.
Steve Binnie: "Can't see a thing when the players are in shadow. This is the last time I rent a TV set from DER. #78Argentina"
BBC match commentator David Coleman
"Well, it's going to be an awfully long match for Scotland now and, in fairness, they hardly deserve to be behind."
Alan Rough guesses the right way but Rob Rensenbrink rifles the ball home to nudge the Dutch in front. A cruel blow for Ally MacLeod's men who have been unable to capitalise on that bright start.
Penalty for Netherlands! Stuart Kennedy is caught dithering on the ball deep in his own half and Johnny Rep glides forward confidently only to be brought down in a heap by as the Aberdeen full-back bids to recover the situation. "Total disaster for Scotland," rails commentator David Coleman.