After almost a century, an England v Scotland match finally finished 0-0.

England drew 0-0 with Scotland at Hampden Park on this day in 1970 and it was the first goalless match between the teams since their first-ever meeting back in 1872!

When they played that first international at the West of Scotland Cricket Club in Partick, Glasgow, the crowd of about 3,500 probably wasn’t expecting a high-scoring match. They didn’t seem to have them at that time. Both FA Cup Semi-Finals in that year finished 0-0, for example, and The Final itself only had one goal.

But it was extraordinary that the next 0-0 between England and the Scots happened 98 years later and in the 87th match between the two great rivals. An enormous crowd of more than 137,000 inside a windswept Hampden saw the home side dominate the match. But despite having nearly all of the possession, they created very few clear-cut chances.

Close to half-time Stein went sprawling in the box after tangling with England centre-half Brian Labone, but the West German referee waved away Scottish appeals for a penalty.

Apart from that, England’s efficient defence was like the proverbial brick wall and it wasn’t until the last moments that Gordon Banks was finally called upon to make a save.

The next goalless match with Scotland came in 1987 – during the Rous Cup.