England gained their biggest victory against Scotland since the series started in 1878 when routing their rivals by seven goals to two in an amazing game at Wembley Stadium today.

Matthews, aged 40, played the game of his life and had a hand in five of the seven goals.

Another North Staffordshire native, Dennis Wilshaw, scored four of the goals.

Scotland won the toss and Lofthouse kicked off. The small Scottish attack was soon in motion, but the raid petered out and, before play had lasted a minute, Wilshaw scored for England.

This dramatic start was a result of a sweeping England move. Blunstone centred for the far post and Martin only partially parried the effort. Lofthouse put the ball back and, when Martin once more failed to gather, Wilshaw secured and drove the ball low into the net.

In seven minutes, England were two up.

In this second success Revie played a characteristic part. Matthews, from the wing, found the Manchester man. Revie practically pinpointed a pass over the head of Haddock to Lofthouse, and the centre-forward, taking the ball in his stride, raced on and completely beat Martin from 10 yards.

England used the long ball, whereas the Scots preferred their typical close passing.

The Scots reduced their arrears in the 15th minute.

Johnstone and Reilly were concerned in a concentrated attack and as Williams dashed forward to clear, it seemed that Reilly got his foot to the ball and sent it over the line.

Wilshaw and Matthews narrowly missed for England: the Blackpool winger with a terrific drive from long range.

England’s defence was none too sure, and it was fortunate for the home country that the reinvigorated Scottish forwards were off target for a spell.

Then, in this match of remarkable scoring, Revie gave England a 3-1 advantage after 24 minutes.

Matthews, Blunstone, Lofthouse and Edwards shared the moves leading to the goal. Revie fastened onto the ball a few yards out. Martin failed to clear and Revie going on side-footed the loose ball into the net.

After 27 minutes England were 4-1 up.

Matthews this time took most of the honour in providing the opening, for he raced down the goal line and pulled the ball back to see Lofthouse smash the ball past Martin from near the penalty spot.

Scotland were paying dearly for their defensive weakness.

A low drive by McMullan, which brought Williams low, was the only thrust by the Scots for a long time.

then Haddock, trying to show his forwards the way, went up and made a hard shot, which Williams tipped against the air.

Matthews – as lively as ever – delighted the crowd with his audacious dribbling.

Martin and Wilshaw were winded in a collision. They recovered and Martin found enough strength to dive at the feet of Lofthouse when the England leader seemed certain to score.

Half time: England 4, Scotland 1

 

Matthews began in the way he had left off, taking the ball right up to his opponents and tricking them. England partisans roared with delight but Martin and his backs averted danger.

Matthews continued to receive rounds of applause for his dashes past the defence.

Lofthouse injured a knee when he ran into a group of photographers and, while he was off for a brief spell, Matthews nearly scored.

Twenty-four minutes after the interval England’s undoubted superiority bore more fruit.

From a corner the ball went from Matthews to Revie and back to Matthews. So accurate was the following cross from the Blackpool winger that Wilshaw had all the time in the world to head past the helpless Martin.

In the 73rd minute Matthews bewildered his would-be markers once more and Wilshaw, fastening on the pass, ran on and, with a low and powerful shot, completed a grand hat-trick.

A sixth goal gave England a record in the series.

Matthews did as he pleased and the crowd loved every second of an exhibition as masterful as any the England winger has ever given in his distinguished career.

How Blunstone, otherwise in fine form, missed an almost open goal presented to him by Matthews was a mystery. Well-placed, the Chelsea man blazed wide.

The mistake did not matter. Back came England and Matthews, this time helped by Revie, gave Wilshaw his fourth goal out of seven for England.

At last Scotland scored again. Docherty, with a terrific kick from 30 yards, made the score 7-2 after 84 minutes.

The gallant Scots could not break through again and the match ended with Matthews still exploring his magical touch against opponents that did not know what to do with him.

He was cheered to the echo as he went off.