Kevin Csboth scored a 100th minute winner as Hungary prevailed 1-0 to eliminate Scotland from UEFA Euro 2024.
A tense contest was settled by a 100th minute Hungarian counter-attack which saw Roland Sallai tee up Csboth to fire in the winning goal, which put Hungary in the mix to advance as one of four best third-placed teams.
Scotland meanwhile finished bottom of Group A and were eliminated despite seeing a 79th minute penalty appeal denied, after Stuart Armstrong had been fouled by Willi Orban.
Speaking to BBC post-match, Scotland captain – Andrew Robertson praised his teammates for giving “everything” to this game but felt that the late heartbreak is simply football.
“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.
“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.”
Germany topped Group A after Niclas Fullkrug cancelled out Dan Ndoye’s goal in a 1-1 draw against second-placed Switzerland.
Aware that only a win would be enough to give either team a chance at progressing as one of four best third-placed teams, Scotland and Hungary unsurprisingly both made a cagey start with the Tartan Army doing much of the early attacking.
That initial dominance almost paid off but Che Adams’ sixth minute header was cleared and Hungary burst forward on a counter-attack, which found Callum Styles to take aim from long range but Angus Gunn made a comfortable save.
The game quickly became end-to-end with little quality through the remainder of the first half as Hungary’s Styles and Orban were booked for silly fouls on John McGinn.
With ten minutes until half-time, Sallai attempted to put Hungary in front with a long-range strike which flew high and wide of the goal.
Hungary went even closer to the opening goal in the 41st minute as Orban nodded a free-kick over the bar – of which the set piece was accidentally conceded by Che Adams as he clipped Sallai whilst he attempted an overhead kick.
Scotland eventually made it to half-time unscathed after Dominik Szoboszlai rifled over the bar in the first minute of injury time, as Hungary finished on top into the break.
Hungary continued their momentum early in the second half as Sallai saw a 49th minute shot saved by Gunn.
Adams almost responded for Scotland four minutes later but curled over as the Tartan Army began to get back into the game.
Hungary though continued to dominate and almost went ahead in the 64th minute bur Marton Dardai nodded over from Bendeguz Bolla’s cross.
Play however grinded to a halt in the 68th minute after Gunn, Ralston and Varga collided during a Hungarian set piece, with Varga left needing emergency treatment with play resuming five minutes later.
Hungarian FA post match confirmed that Varga was in a stable condition at a nearby hospital receiving treatment for broken facial bones and concussion.
Controversy however brewed in the 79th minute after Argentinean referee – Facundo Tello refused to award Scotland a penalty, after substitute, Armstrong was fouled by Orban as he pounced upon Scott McTominay’s pass into the box.
Ten minutes of injury-time was added with both teams now aware that one goal would be enough for the win, as Csboth smashed a shot onto the left post for Hungary in the second minute of added time.
Both teams looked destined for a draw until Hungary broke forward from a 100th minute Scottish corner and Sallai teed up Csboth to fire into the left corner, which proved enough to seal victory and eliminate Scotland.
Hungary now must await their fate to see if they progress to the Round of 16 as one of four best third-placed teams.
Teams
Scotland – Angus Gunn, Scott McKenna, Grant Hanley, Jack Hendry, Andrew Robertson (Morgan 89′), Callum McGregor, Billy Gilmour (Christie 83′), Anthony Ralston (McLean 83′), Scott McTominay, John McGinn (Armstrong 76′), Che Adams (Shankland 76′)
Substitutes: Stuart Armstrong, Ryan Christie, Zander Clark, Tommy Conway, Liam Cooper, James Forrest, Ryan Jack, Liam Kelly, Robbie McCrorie, Kenny McLean, Lewis Morgan, Lawrence Shankland, Greg Taylor
Hungary – Peter Gulacsi, Marton Dardai (Szalai 74′), Willi Orban, Endre Botka, Milos Kerkez (Csboth 86′), Callum Styles (A.Nagy 61′), Andras Schafer, Bendeguz Bolla (Z.Nagy 86′), Dominik Szoboszlai, Roland Sallai, Barnabas Varga (Adam 74′)
Substitutes – Botond Balogh, Kevin Csboth, Denes Dibusz, Attila Fiola, Daniel Gazdag, Kristofer Horvath, Mihaly Kata, Lazlo Kleinheisler, Adam Lang, Zsolt Nagy, Adam Nagy, Loic Nego, Attila Szalai, Peter Szappanos, Martin Adam
Referee – Facundo Tello
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