Shortest game in football history? Scotland vs Estonia lasted three seconds in 1996 | OneFootball

Did you know that Scotland once played an international match that lasted just three - yes, three! - seconds?

Back in October 1996, Scotland travelled to Tallinn to face Estonia in a World Cup qualifying match at the Kadrioru Stadium.

Referee Miroslav Radoman blew his whistle to start the match, before blowing it again three seconds later to end the game.

It’s a strong contender for the strangest match in football history.

9 Oct 1996: Scotland are ready for kick off but Estonia fail to show during the world cup qualifier between Estonia and Scotland at Kadriorg Stadium in Tallinn, Estonia. Scotland went onto win the game by default as Estonia failed to show up. MandatoryCredit: Ben Radford/Allsport

Why did Scotland vs Estonia only last three seconds?

So, what on earth happened?

Only one team emerged for kick-off on the day and that was Scotland.

Estonia’s players were nowhere to be seen.

Why?

Because they’d refused to turn up.

They were unhappy that the game was moved from the evening to the afternoon after Scotland manager Craig Brown complained about the temporary floodlights night being up to scratch.

9 Oct 1996: Craig Brown Scotland's manager inspects the floodlight the night before the world cup qualifier between Estonia and Scotland at Kadriorg Stadium in Tallinn, Estonia. Scotland went onto win the game by default as Estonia failed to show up. Mandatory Credit: Ben Radford/Allsport

FIFA subsequently agreed to move the kick-off time to the afternoon, much to Estonia’s dismay.

Eight hundred Scotland fans travelled to the stadium and were in great spirits prior to kick-off.

Scotland’s players kicked off, despite the fact none of their opponents were on the pitch, before Radoman abandoned the game after three seconds.

9 Oct 1996: Scotland kick off for only three seconds worth of play during the world cup qualifier between Estonia and Scotland at Kadriorg Stadium in Tallinn, Estonia. Scotland went onto win the game by default as Estonia failed to show up. Mandatory Credit: Ben Radford/Allsport

Video: Scotland vs Estonia in 1996

Watch the bizarre footage here:

Were Scotland awarded a 3-0 win?

Known as ‘One team in Tallinn’ - the game even has its own Wikipedia page - Scotland’s players celebrated as the final whistle was blown.

However, rather than awarding Scotland with an automatic 3-0 victory, FIFA ordered the match to play replayed on neutral territory.

The two sides subsequently went head-to-head at the Stade Louis II in Monaco and played out a goalless draw.

Ally McCoist played in the rescheduled fixture and the whole situation still tickles him now.

Have there been any similar incidents in football?

Real Madrid would play Real Sociedad in an equally peculiar match that lasted all of six minutes.

But the record for the shortest match that actually kicked off may never be broken.