England lifted the Rous Cup on St George's Day 24 years ago.

A year after the demise of the Home International Championship, England met Scotland at Hampden Park to play for the ‘Rous Cup’.

That was in 1985, the new competition being named after Sir Stanley Rous, the former FA Secretary who became FIFA President. The Scots, winners by the only goal in Glasgow, came down to Wembley to defend the splendid trophy on this day in ’86.

The Mexico World Cup was only two months away as Bobby Robson’s England lined up like this before a 68,000 crowd: Peter Shilton, Gary Stevens, Kenny Sansom, Glenn Hoddle, Dave Watson, Terry Butcher, Ray Wilkins (captain), Steve Hodge, Mark Hateley, Trevor Francis and Chris Waddle.

The tackling was fierce from the start and the French referee, having already booked Watson, was in danger of losing control. But an England goal on the half-hour seemed to settle things down, Butcher heading past Rough after Hodge had knocked Hoddle’s free-kick back to him. It was the big defender’s first goal for two years and he was understandably delighted.

Five minutes before the break a superior home side made it 2-0. Rough could only push Sansom’s 30-yarder up into the air and Hoddle netted with a diving header. Then another robust challenge, this time by Butcher on Nicholas, gave the Scots a lifeline. The stricken Nicholas was carried off and Souness shot home from the penalty spot on 56 minutes.

The match continued in the same frenzied fashion, but neither side looked like adding to its score. England were now unbeaten in nine.