Scotland crashed out of Euro 2024 in limp fashion as Hungary stole third place in Group A with a 100th-minute goal from Kevin Csoboth.
Both sides knew only a win would mean they stood a realistic chance of advancing to the knockout stages but, instead of a game full of attacking verve, it made way for a nervy, chanceless evening in Stuttgart.
Scotland failed to muster a single shot on target, although they will point to a 78th-minute incident in which Stuart Armstrong appeared to be felled inside the area by Hungary defender Willi Orban. Argentine referee Facundo Tello waved play on and VAR did not intervene.
Steve Clarke’s men finally threw caution to the wind in the closing stages but that left them exposed defensively. Csoboth had already struck a post in the 10 minutes of injury-time added on following a sickening injury to Hungary striker Barnabas Varga before he did hit the target, running on to Roland Sallai’s cross to fire past Angus Gunn with virtually the last kick of the game.
The win moved Hungary on to three points and puts them in a strong position to finish as one of the four-best third-placed finishers. For Scotland it’s all over and their solitary point from three games means they finish bottom of the pool.
✅ Germany and Switzerland advance to the RO16
👀 Hungary are still in with a chance of qualifying
❌ Scotland are OUT of Euro 2024Group A delivered 🍿 pic.twitter.com/DgSPDBARs2
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) June 23, 2024
The first half was high on energy but woefully short on quality with both sides creating little of note in front of goal.
Scotland’s best opportunities came from free-kicks in wide areas but both Andy Robertson and Billy Gilmour could not beat the first man with their delivery.
Hungary at least had a few efforts on goal. The first, from Bendeguz Bolla, drew an awkward save from Gunn while a second, from Sallai, flashed high and wide.
Their best chance, however, came five minutes before the break, Orban stealing in at the far post to meet Dominik Szoboszlai’s free-kick and power a header onto the bar and over.
Szoboszlai also fired over as a disappointing first half came to a close.
The second half continued in a similar vein with the tension increasing as each minute passed.
Hungary still maintained the greater cutting edge although their momentum stalled when Varga went down following a 68th-minute collision with Gunn and Anthony Ralston. Medical staff held blankets around the Ferencvaros striker as he was being treated on the pitch before he was eventually taken to hospital.
Scotland thought they should have had a penalty following Orban’s clumsy challenge but that was as good as it got, bar a Grant Hanley shot that was easily parried by Peter Gulacsi.
The greater threat came at the other end. Gunn saved well from Szoboszlai before Csoboth wriggled free down the right only to see his shot come back off the right-hand post.
He made no mistake when a second chance came his way following good work from Sallai.
