If you are going to score one goal at international level then you might as well make it special. Argentina's Jose Luis Brown scoring in the 1986 World Cup takes some beating, yet there could be honourable mentions for many others, such as Kieran Trippier (World Cup semi-final), Scotland's Gary Mackay helping Ireland reach Euro 88, and the general hilarity of Davide Gualtieri's sole strike for San Marino.
Another player who can be added to this list is Scotland's David Narey. The fact that Narey scored his only international goal at the 1982 World Cup finals is part of the reason it is so memorable. Add into the mix that Narey scored a screamer against Brazil and it is obvious why it the goal is still talked about. But it was also the response to Narey's moment of glory that made an impact.
It was a goal that managed to rile both Scotland's opponents and indirectly the loyal Tartan Army that followed the national team. Little did Narey know that he would simultaneously poke a hornet's nest and open up a can of worms as soon as he brought back his right foot on that sweltering evening in Sevilla.
Narey's journey to the 1982 World Cup started ten years earlier. Signed by Dundee United on a schoolboy contract, a year later he would sign professional terms with the club. Making his debut in 1973 aged 17, Narey started his career in midfield but would develop into a fine centre back who would later form a legendary club partnership with Paul Hegarty.
Capped by Scotland in April 1977 - Dundee United's first player to represent Scotland at full international level - Narey's career and the fortunes of his club were on the rise. Winning the Scottish League Cup in 1980 and 1981, and reaching the last eight of the UEFA Cup in 1981/82, Jim McLean was in the process of building a team that would go on to win the Scottish Premiership and reach the European Cup semi-finals.
As well as Narey's superb club form, his versatility proved appealing when Scotland manager finalised plans to select his squad for the 1982 World Cup finals in Spain. Playing his way back into the international picture just before the tournament, Narey was seen as a viable option at right back, centre back and midfield.
Narey would replace Gordon Strachan in Scotland's midfield with seven minutes to go in the opening group match against New Zealand. The 5-2 victory was welcome after the scars left by the 1978 World Cup, yet the sloppy goals conceded dented Scotland's goal difference which would have implications for their final group match against the USSR.
But before the final crunch game was the small matter of a meeting with a Brazil team that would thrill the viewing millions throughout the tournament. The names still roll off the tongue: Zico, Socrates, Eder, Junior, Falcao. Never mind the fact that they had a soft underbelly and would later enter the debate regarding the greatest team never to win the World Cup. Brazil 1982 were playing football from a different planet.
Scotland manager Jock Stein tinkered with his team after the New Zealand match. Out went captain Danny McGrain, Allan Evans, Alan Brazil and Kenny Dalglish. Replacing McGrain at right back, Narey would face a stern examination. But after Scotland managed to keep Brazil at arm's length in the opening 15 minutes, Narey would make his mark.
New skipper Graeme Souness started the move that led to Narey's stunning strike. Playing a diagonal ball to the right corner of Brazil's penalty area, Souness' pass was nodded into the path of Narey by John Wark. We were not aware of the term inverted full back in 1982. Narey was obviously ahead of his time. Driving towards two Brazilian defenders, Narey let fly from the 'D'.
Narey's effort ever so slightly faded away from keeper Waldir Peres, threatening to kiss the crossbar before it found the top corner of the net. Bounding away with a smile as wide as the Tay, Narey held his arms above his head before being joined in celebration with Souness, Asa Hartford and Steve Archibald.
After 18 minutes, Scotland were leading Brazil in a World Cup match. Sadly, it was probably a goal that came 70 minutes too soon. In truth the quality of Brazil would have proved too much regardless of Narey's goal. But it definitely woke up Scotland's opponents. We Made Them Angry is an appropriate title for a book about Scotland's 1982 World Cup experience.
Zico's deadly accurate free kick levelled the match 15 minutes after Narey's opener, and early in the second half an Oscar header from a corner edged Brazil in front. With Scotland tiring in the stifling conditions, superb goals from Eder and Falcao ended Scotland's hopes and eroded their positive goal difference.
However, there was no shame in losing to that Brazilian team. And at least there was the small crumb of comfort in the Narey moment. Described as tremendous by BBC commentator John Motson, and splendid, spectacular and magnificent in various newspaper reports, there could be no doubting the quality of Narey's goal. But a comment made by co-commentator Jimmy Hill would make the biggest impact.
Hill probably did not mean any disrespect when he described Narey's goal as a "toe poke". Indeed, Hill would later defend himself, claiming that in his playing days this particular way of striking the ball was a skill. But the damage had been done. The Tartan Army were not in a forgiving mood. For years to come, Hill would be a much derided figure.
An (of its time) chant of "We hate Jimmy Hill, he's a poof" would often be heard at Scotland matches in subsequent years, with t-shirts also worn by Scottish fans, even as late as France 1998 (Nous Detestons Jeemie Heel). Reportedly Hill was not too upset with his role of a pantomime villain, amused by the attention he received.
Hill's remark still resonates today. An Edinburgh Fringe play called The Toe Poke can be seen later this year and there is also a Scottish football podcast with the same name. Scotland may have failed to get out of the group stage in Spain, drawing against the USSR with Alan Hansen and Willie Miller hardly covering themselves in glory. But David Narey and the memory of his goal would live on and on.
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