After four months, international football is back on the agenda and the final three spots at Euro 2026 will be determined via the playoffs. In addition, several teams will participate in friendly matches in preparation for the tournament, which is now just three months away. Netherlands and Scotland are set to go head to head on Friday, 22 March at the Johan Cruyff Arena in a battle between two sides have been drawing particularly difficult Euro 2026 groups.
Contents
Netherlands vs Scotland H2H record
The Netherlands vs Scotland rivalry has been ongoing for over 100 years with the first meeting between the nations on a football pitch taking place in 1929. Scotland won that one, as well as their next two matches against the Netherlands, but Oranje have the better overall H2H record after 21 matches.
- Netherlands Wins: 9
- Draws: 5
- Scotland Wins: 6
One of Scotland's best-ever victories came against the Netherlands in the 1978 World Cup. The Dutch side of the 1970s and 80s were a formidable force but they came out on the losing side when they faced Kenny Dalglish and Co in the group stages in Argentina. Despite the loss, the Netherlands made it all the way to the final where they lost to the tournament hosts.
Netherlands vs Scotland last five H2Hs
Netherlands 2-2 Scotland – 2nd June 2021
The most recent Netherlands vs Scotland H2H came in June 2021 in an international friendly. The match was used by both teams as final preparation for the delayed Euro 2020 which begun a few weeks later. The match was played on neutral ground in the Algarve and was a fun match for the neutral. Scotland led twice through Jack Hendry and Kevin Nisbet but a late goal Memphis Depay, who had already equalised once for the Netherlands, meant the match finished as a tie.
Scotland 0-1 Netherlands – 9th November 2017
In November 2017, Scotland faced the Netherlands in an international friendly played under grim circumstances. Both sides had failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup so the match was nothing more than a placeholder to keep both teams ticking over. It played out like a dead rubber, too, with Netherlands running out as 1-0 winners at Pittodrie thanks to a Memphis Depay goal at the end of the first half.
Scotland 0-1 Netherlands – 9th September 2009
Scotland faced a very strong Netherlands side at Hampden Park in the final match of Group 9 qualifying for the 2010 World Cup. The hosts needed to win the match to finish 2nd in the group and reach a playoff for the finals in South Africa but came up short despite the Netherlands having already secured qualification as group winners. Scotland had chances to win it but it was Eljero Elia who netted late on for the visitors to break Scottish hearts.
Netherlands 3-0 Scotland – 28th March 2009
Earlier in the qualifying campaign, the Netherlands swatted away Scotland on home turf – the last time the two sides have met in the Netherlands. Huntellar, Van Persie and Kuyt all scored for the hosts but in truth, the scoreline could have been a lot more severe had the Dutch taken more of their chances. The result left them all-but qualified for the World Cup while it left Scotland with a lot of work to do.
Netherlands 6-0 Scotland – 19th November 2003
The Netherlands' biggest-ever victory over Scotland came in 2003. The match was the second leg of a playoff to reach Euro 2004 and Scotland actually came into the match with the advantage after winning 1-0 at Hampden Park four days earlier. The Dutch were unstoppable on the night, though, with ex-Man Utd striker, Ruud van Nistelrooy, the hero of the night, netting a hat-trick as Dick Advocaat's men qualified in style.
Potential MVP – Scott McTominay
Scott McTominay will look to continue his goalscoring form when he lines up for Scotland at the Johan Cruyff Arena on Friday. McTominay came into the season as a holding midfielder but he has been transformed, thanks in large to Scotland bos, Steve Clarke.
The Man Utd midfielder has scored seven goals in his last nine appearances for Scotland and comes into the match off the back of a goal for Man Utd against Liverpool last weekend. It is already his best goalscoring season for club and country with his late bursts into the box now becoming something of a trademark.
Key trend
Unfortunately for Scotland, the biggest trend when looking at the Netherlands vs Scotland last five H2Hs is a lack of Scottish goals. The Netherlands have kept a clean sheet against Scotland in four of their last five encounters and they are priced at 17/20 to keep a clean sheet on Friday night.
For more tips, check out our in-depth Netherlands vs Scotland prediction.
