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NOTTINGHAM FOREST HISTORY
22 June, 1982

Robertson assists World Cup equaliser

On this day in Nottingham Forest history in 1982 John Robertson assists Scotland’s late World Cup equaliser.

Player legacies

Iconic goal, save, assist, tackle, or individual moment
John Robertson in Amsterdam before Nottingham Forest's European Cup semi-final against Ajax in 1980
John Robertson in Amsterdam before Nottingham Forest's European Cup semi-final against Ajax in 1980 Image: Hans van Dijk / Anefo, Nationaal Archief / CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

John Robertson helped create Scotland’s late equaliser in a decisive World Cup group match against the Soviet Union.

Scotland drew 2–2 in their 1982 FIFA World Cup meeting, with Robertson starting and assisting Graeme Souness’s late goal. The moment gave Scotland hope in a match where they needed enough from the result to stay alive in the tournament.

John Robertson in Amsterdam before Nottingham Forest's European Cup semi-final against Ajax in 1980
John Robertson in Amsterdam before Nottingham Forest's European Cup semi-final against Ajax in 1980 Image: Hans van Dijk / Anefo, Nationaal Archief / CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

For Forest supporters, Robertson’s involvement again showed his value on an international stage. His game was built on delivery, timing and composure, and an assist in such a pressured match fitted the qualities that had made him so important at the City Ground.

The equaliser gave the match a dramatic finish, but it did not change the final outcome of the group. Scotland were eliminated on goal difference, making the moment feel both important and frustrating.

Robertson’s assist is remembered as a clear Forest connection to Scotland’s 1982 campaign. It was a decisive contribution from a great winger, even though the tournament ended that night for his country.

Match Highlights

Sources

Transfermarkt; Planet World Cup; EU-Football

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Notts County 0–2 Nottingham Forest
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Nottingham Forest 3–0 Blackburn
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Udinese 1–0 Nottingham Forest Barcelona 1–0 Nottingham Forest
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Nottingham Forest 2–1 Bayer Leverkusen
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