Scotland 0-1 Hungary (Csoboth 90+10′)
STUTTGART ARENA — No Scotland, no party… but the Euro 2024 show will go on without Steve Clarke’s squad after they slumped to defeat to Hungary.
In the 10th minute of 10 added on, Kevin Csoboth fired past Angus Gunn to give Hungary the win that keeps their hopes of a last-16 place alive.
That it took that long was a minor miracle given the chances that Dominik Szoboszlai and Csoboth had already spurned in that stoppage period.
It was a flat Scottish performance that failed to match the vibrancy of their supporters.
The Tartan Army were in fine voice all day, but nothing could prepare anyone for what was to come just before kick-off. Those inside the Stuttgart Arena won’t forget this rendition of Flower Of Scotland in a hurry. It was so loud it made your ears ring, sent the hairs on forearms bolt upright and filled eyes with proud, patriotic tears.
The Hungarians are no shrinking violets either and made sure to fight fire with fire after losing the first round of the fan wars, bouncing in unison and making a din at the opposite side of the stadium.
With both sides needing a win to have even a chance of reaching the last-16 their followers were doing their utmost to give them the edge. It made for a stunning spectacle, even more so with Stuttgart’s rolling hills retreating into the lavender sunset in the backdrop.
Who knows whether Scotland would have started as assuredly as they did without that chorus coursing through their bodies, but it can’t have done any harm. They looked comfortable, confident even, in the opening stages, trying to build patiently through the lines with Billy Gilmour retreating in between to the centre-backs to collect the ball and gently coax it forward.
After 20 minutes they had 73 per cent possession – as much as Germany recorded against them in the first game – but no shots to show for their patient probing. Struggling to create shooting opportunities has been a recurring problem for them this tournament: they failed to register an attempt on goal in half of their six halves of football in Germany. They registered just three attempts on target across their four games.
Scotland’s lack of threat encouraged Hungary on and they began to win a succession of set-pieces in dangerous areas. One of them arose from a tangle between Jack Hendry and Rolland Sallai whose studs sunk into the centre-back’s stomach. Intentionally or otherwise, the Freiburg winger got the foul and escaped punishment.
Hungary relish the chance to load dead balls into the box and when Che Adams conceded a cheap free-kick, they had one in the perfect position. Szoboszlai shaped to shoot but clipped a cute cross to the back post to Willi Orban whose header nicked the crossbar.
Flower Of Scotland. Wow
— Oliver Young-Myles (@OMyles90) June 23, 2024#EURo2024 pic.twitter.com/wllsM7Z379
Hendry must have one of those faces because he was crunched again just before half-time, this time by Andras Schafer who was booked for a reckless lunge that caught the defender on the top of the foot. Any higher and the card might have been a darker shade.
Finally, seven minutes after the restart Scotland registered their first effort on goal, and while Adams’ strike veered high into the stands it was at least a signal of intent. A few minutes later the soon-to-be out-of-contract Southampton striker provoked a stadium-shuddering roar by charging down a long ball forward.
From another Hungary delivery came another big moment. A sickening collision involving Angus Gunn and Barnabas Varga left the striker unconscious and the players were sufficiently concerned about his wellbeing to hold up sheets around him as he received medical attention.
The players, led by captain Szoboszlai, were incensed by the remarkably relaxed response from the paramedics to Varga’s plight with their anger matched by those in red behind the goal. The 29-year-old was eventually stretchered off the pitch, earning respectful applause from all four corners of the ground as he was carried down the tunnel.
The Hungarian Football Federation confirmed after the final whistle that the player is conscious after being taken to hospital.
With both teams requiring a win, the final 10 minutes descended into end-to-end chaos. Vehement Scotland protests for a penalty after a skirmish between Stuart Armstrong and Orban were waved away but it invigorated hope when it had begun to fade. Replays indicated that Armstrong was hugely unfortunate to not get the decision.
Player of the match: Roland Sallai
- The winger was a constant threat and supplied the match-winning assist with virtually the final touch.
Hungary looked the likeliest to find a winner and Gunn saved Scotland from Szoboszlai when the Liverpool playmaker looked destined to fire past him from close-range. Gunn then watched on in and horror and then relief as Csoboth hit the far post.
And then after one last push, Scotland were punished, Csoboth sending them home with a confident finish from a breakaway. It has been some ride but the summer holiday of their lives is over.
from Football - inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/UCZnwW4
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