24 June 2024 , 06:00
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Scotland have crashed out of Euro 2024 after a last-gasp defeat to Hungary on Sunday evening.
Steve Clarke’s side appeared on course for a goalless draw which would have given the Tartan Army a slim chance of being one of the four best third-placed teams to qualify for the knockout round.
But Hungary’s quick counter in the last moments of injury time, finished off by Kevin Csoboth, has ensured that Scotland finish bottom of Group A with just a point from their three games.
Scotland also saw a strong penalty claim in the 78th minute after Stuart Armstrong was bundled over in Hungary’s box but their appeals were waved away by Argentine referee Facundo Tello.
‘The goal comes as a consequence of us trying to win the game,’ Scotland head coach Steve Clarke said after his side’s exit.
‘The goal is almost irrelevant. The moment for me was the penalty. It was 100 per cent a penalty. Someone has to explain to me why it wasn’t a penalty because otherwise I’m thinking there’s something wrong.
‘I don’t understand how VAR can look at that and say it’s not a penalty.’
During his post-match analysis, former England striker Alan Shearer said: ‘It was just a lack of quality, particularly in forward positions I felt where it matters most, they didn’t really create anything and never thought they were going to score.
‘Having said that I felt the referee gave a terrible decision with the penalty. For me it was a penalty all day.’
Barnabas Varga suffered a serious head injury in the second half (Reuters)
The game was halted for an extended period after Hungary striker Barnabas Varga suffered a serious head injury.
In the other game in the group, Germany drew 1-1 with Switzerland after Niclas Fullkrug’s equaliser cancelled out Dan Ndoye’s first-half opener.
Germany go through to the knockout stage as Group A winners, with Switzerland securing second place.
Hungary will now wait to see if they are one of the best third-placed teams (Getty)
Hungary must now wait to see if their three points will be enough to go through as one of the best third-placed teams.
Speaking after Scotland’s exit, Andy Robertson said: ‘There’s nothing really to say to be honest. We gave it everything.
‘We knew we had to win this game, and they’ve hit us on the counter-attack. It could have gone either way, but that’s football – that’s how it goes. It will take a long time to get over this one.
‘We had a lot of possession, first half, without doing anything with it. We had to find that cutting edge and go for it a wee bit more. We did go for it, but we got sucker-punched. A draw wasn’t going to be enough realistically.
‘Tonight and for a long time we have to get over this. It’s a tough one. It’s devastating. All the lads are absolutely gutted. I will say thank you to all the supporters; sorry for letting you all down.’