England invite Scots to last Wembley show

England will face Scotland in a finale to the old Wembley Stadium.

The match, against England’s oldest rivals, will take place in August 2000, barely weeks before the stadium is demolished. The rebuilding of the ground would then take place in the spring 2000.

England first met Scotland in 1872, the world’s very first international game. Since then the two have met in a series of friendly matches, as part of the home internationals, played every year until 1984 and more recently during Euro 96, England running out 2-0 winners. Next August’s match will be the first friendly meeting since 1989.

England qualified for the Euro 2000 play-offs on Saturday by virtue of Sweden beating Poland, and could face Scotland in a two-legged decider for the finals due to be held next summer in Holland and Belgium.