November 30th, 1872
The 1872 association football match between the national teams of Scotland and England is officially recognised by FIFA as the sport’s first international. It took place on 30 November 1872 at Hamilton Crescent, the West of Scotland Cricket Club’s ground in Hamilton Crescent, Partick, Glasgow. The match was watched by 4,000 spectators and finished as a 0–0 draw.
Teams
Scotland
The Scottish team was represented by players from Queen’s Park Football Club.
England
The English team consisted of players from London-based clubs, mainly the Football Club (commonly known as the Barnes Club) and the Crystal Palace Football Club.
Result
The match ended in a 0-0 draw. There were no goals scored during the game.
Format
The match was played under a modified version of the association football (soccer) rules, with each team consisting of 11 players.
Historical Significance
The Scotland vs. England match of 1872 is considered the first official international football match. The event laid the foundation for the development of international football competitions and paved the way for future matches between national teams.
Venue
The match was held at the West of Scotland Cricket Club’s ground, Hamilton Crescent, located in Partick, Glasgow, Scotland. The choice of a cricket ground for a football match was common in the early years of football history.
The Scotland vs. England match of 1872 holds a special place in the history of football, and it marks the beginning of a tradition that has since evolved into the globally popular sport we know today.
