What history tells us about Scotland's World Cup openers

Scotland faced Brazil in Paris in their most recent men's World Cup opener [SNS] There is evidence to suggest why Scotland fans are heading into a World Cup opener against an 83rd-ranked nation with an equal sense of trepidation and excitement. Just say the names of Costa Rica or Peru and you will see a shudder go down the spine of any experienced member of the Tartan Army. With Sunday's (02:00 BST) encounter with Haiti ending a 28-year absence from football's grandest stage, BBC Scotland has been digging through the archives. So what does history tell us about the Scots' World Cup curtain-raisers? The rise and rise of 'Meatball' McGinn Scotland have chip on shoulder in search of history Set up BBC Sport website and app to show you more Scotland this World Cup Zaire regret & punished by Peru Scotland would have to wait until 1974 for their first victory at a World Cup, never mind one in the opening game, after winless tournaments in 1954 and 1958. Goals from Peter Lorimer and Joe Jordan ensured a 2-0 success over minnows Zaire in West Germany - a result the Tartan Army would certainly sign up for this weekend. But it was a scoreline Willie Ormond's men ultimately went on to regret. Draws with Brazil and Yugoslavia meant Scotland failed to progress on goal difference. An unbeaten three-game sequence of one win and two draws would almost guarantee qualification for the knockouts under the more favourable current-day format. Not back then, though. "In hindsight we should have tried to score more goals," said former striker Jordan. "Looking at the big picture, it was a mistake. There was a bit of naivety in it. If that game had been our second or third, the scoreline might have been a little different." Four years later, manager Ally McLeod had the nation believing Scotland would win the 1978 World Cup. A squad loaded with top-level quality travelled to Argentina with almost 60 individual medals in its ranks - from champions of Scotland and England to European Cup and Uefa Cup winners. But next to no research was done on the opposition, with McLeod infamously turning down an offer of an all-expenses-paid scouting trip to Peru. The Peruvians beat Scotland 3-1 in their opening game in Cordoba, contributing to another early exit as the draw with Iran and memorable victory over the Netherlands that followed were not enough. Rowing boats & regrets - Scotland's undefeated 1974 World Cup campaign Scotland's fateful 1978 World Cup campaign still resonates More goal difference pain & defeat to Danes Another squad of immense quality went to Spain in 1982 under Jock Stein, but again goal difference was their undoing. Scotland took care of bottom seeds New Zealand in their opener in Seville, with goals from Sir Kenny Dalglish, John Robertson, Steve Archibald and a John Wark double. It was the two they conceded that proved crucial, combined with a heavy 4-1 defeat to Brazil and a draw with the Soviet Union. Again, a repeat of those results in the US this month would very likely be enough for the Scots to make a historic progression to the knockouts, but the World Cup format was far more unforgiving in the past. Four years on and it was Sir Alex Ferguson who led the nation to Mexico. It was home time at the first hurdle again, though. Denmark, one of the best sides in Europe, awaited them in match one. Scotland were left to rue their profligacy as Preben Elkjaer Larsen's goal gave the Danes victory, before a defeat to West Germany and a draw with Uruguay. "I always thought the first game was the one," said goalkeeper Alan Rough. "We had to take something, especially with West Germany next." World Cup 1982: Stein, Narey, Brazil & being a cartoon character Dalglish, Souness & Rod Stewart - Scotland's World Cup '86 remembered Costa Rica, Brazil agony and what next? Costa Rica had not played a World Cup game until they met Scotland in their opening group match at Italia 90. You know what happened next. Against a Scotland side making their fifth consecutive appearance, the debutants made their mark, with Juan Arnoldo Cayasso's goal early in the second half deciding the game. "I remember the next day there was a headline somewhere of 'Stop the world, we want to get off' and it was all about how I should be sacked," said former head coach Andy Roxburgh. Scotland responded with victory over Sweden, but a narrow defeat to Brazil had them heading for the departure lounge. It was the Brazilians they would face in their next World Cup outing, opening the 1998 World Cup in France. Against a star-studded side, the Scots drew level through John Collins' penalty, but a slapstick own goal from Tom Boyd denied Craig Brown's men a precious point. A draw with Norway and a 3-0 defeat to Morocco came next. Of course, Brazil and Morocco feature in Scotland's 2026 World Cup group, 28 years on from their last showing on football's grandest stage. Steve Clarke will hope it is not a case of deja vu. But first, there is an opportunity to make a mark against Haiti. The Tartan Army have been scarred by past failures against favourable opposition, but cautious optimism is building that perhaps this time could be different. World Cup fixtures and group standings How to watch the World Cup on the BBC Everything you need to know about the World Cup