Continuing their build up for the World Cup, England took on a very good Yugoslavia side at Wembley and produced another encouraging win. Once again, though, they owed an enormous amount to their skipper Bryan Robson. The Manchester United star already held the record for the fastest goal scored in a World Cup finals match and, here, after only 38 seconds, he netted another quick one in near-record time.

As often happens Gary Lineker was foued in England's first attack. Chris Waddle took the free-kick and ball cleared the static defence for Robson to head powerfully past the stunned Ivković in the Yugoslav goal. The visitors had been caught cold and not since Jackie Milburn's 45-second goal for Newcastle against Manchester City in the 1955 FA Cup Final had Wembley seen such an explosive start.

Manager Bobby Robson had brought several fringe players in to give them some experience and also the chance for them to make an impact. They were soon learning a great deal about football at this level as the Yugoslavian side came back strongly from their early set-back. Stojković, a very talented player, showed all his skill and in the 18th minute it was he who made the visitor's equalizer. After a Steve Bull shot had been blocked, Stojković gained possession and found Škoro. The England defenders backed off as Škoro ran at them and the winger punished them by hitting a splendid shot from 22 yards which beat the diving Peter Shilton. It was a fine goal and now it was England's turn to be stunned.

With Michael Thomas and David Rocastle finding it difficult to come to terms with this higher grade of football it was left to Robson to hold the midfield together. He did so brilliantly and certainly was an inspiration to the junior members of the side.

The second half was fairly even, but England edged themselves back in front again after 68 minutes. Paul Parker made another of several fine runs from his deep position, exchanged passes with Lineker and then put over a dangerous cross. The ball was flicked on by Bull and there was the irrepressible Robson to drive a left-foot shot home. No wonder the skipper received a standing ovation as he left the field after 75 minutes.

Stuart Pearce was booked as he, too, found the going difficult against this talented side but, thanks to Robson's influence and scoring power, England were able to hold on to their lead and record a very good result.
 

England had beaten Yugoslavia at Wembley and in Belgrade to qualify for the previous year's European Championship, and like England they had qualified for the following year's World Cup without defeat.

After three goalless matches, England scored after 38 seconds. It was the quickest international goal ever scored at Wembley. From Waddle's free-kick, Bryan Robson's header went under the 'keeper. Robson had scored England's fastest ever World Cup goal in 1982.

The visitors equalised in the 18th minute, Haris Skoro took a pass from Susic and beat Shilton from 25 yards. It was the first goal in England's net in seven Wembley matches. For the second match in succession, Beasant replaced Shilton at half-time. England restored their lead in the 71st minute. Parker played a one-two with Lineker and crossed. Bull back-heeled it into the path of Robson, who drove it into the corner for his second.

Yugoslavia never played England again.

Bryan Robson scored the fastest England goal ever witnessed at Wembley when he headed in a Chris Waddle free-kick after just thirty-eight seconds. It ended more than five hours' of goalless football by England and set up what was their 100th win at Wembley. Skoro equalised for Yugoslavia with a snap shot in a rare attack in the seventeenth minute, and it was Robson who struck the winning goal in the sixty-seventh minute after Paul Parker had made an enterprising break down the right wing. Bobby Robson continued his experiments, sending on Dave Beasant, Tony Dorigo, David Platt, Steve McMahon and Steve Hodge as substitutes, the first time England had ever sent on five subs.

Source Notes

TheFA.com
Reprezentacija.rs
Original newspaper reports
Official Teamsheet
Rothman's Yearbooks
Mike Payne's England: The Complete Post-War Record (Breedon Books Publishing Company, Derby, U.K., 1993)
Norman Giller, Football Author
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CG