Hungary Knocks Scotland Out of Euro 2024 with A Dramatic 1-0 Victory
Hungary defeated Scotland in a thrilling Euro 2024 match with a goal in the last seconds.
After Barnabas Varga suffered a serious injury, Kevin Csoboth’s goal in the tenth minute of extra time secured Hungary’s 1-0 victory and preserved their hopes of making it to the round of 16 in Euro 2024.
After a scary injury to Barnabas Varga, Kevin Csoboth scored in the tenth minute of extra time as Hungary overcame Scotland 1-0 to maintain their hopes of making it to the round of 16. Hungarian attacker Varga was stretchered off in front of his clearly startled teammates following a horrifying incident in the second half, but Csoboth’s late winner kept them in the competition. Shortly after the game on Sunday, the Hungarian Football Federation announced that Varga was in a “stable condition” at a Stuttgart hospital.
The incident evoked terrifying memories of Christian Eriksen’s collapse during Euro 2020, when players from Denmark hid him from the media and spectators during a heart arrest. Csoboth held up his injured teammate’s shirt during his celebration, dedicating the goal to Varga.
Of course, for the last fifteen to twenty minutes, we were fighting for him. Attacker Roland Sallai of Hungary remarked, “We wanted to win for him and we dedicate the win to him.”
Scotland’s attempt to go to the next round of a major event for the first time was bitterly ended when they were discovered trying to score a goal of their own at the last second. The game was always one goal, according to Scotland’s coach Steve Clarke. “We didn’t manage to get the goal, we opened up at the end to try and get it.”
After a 1-1 tie, Germany became victorious in Group A while Switzerland qualified as the runners-up. If Hungary wants to go forward as one of the top third-placed teams, they will need to depend on other outcomes. Scotland, who have yet to win a European Championship since 1996, finished last with just one point.
Scott McKenna replaced Kieran Tierney, who was carted off the field due to a hamstring injury sustained in Scotland’s 1-1 draw with Switzerland, in the only enforced substitution made by Clarke.
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Callum Styles, an Englishman, was selected to start in Hungary’s midfield. He did so after recovering from an injury, while Endre Botka also made his tournament debut on the right side of a back three.
Thousands of Scotland supporters gathered outside the hotel, shouting out songs in anticipation of what they hoped would be a historic night, and John McGinn disclosed that the players had skipped their pre-match nap.
Hungary had higher expectations going into the Euros after going undefeated in 14 games between November 2022 and March of this year. In the most recent UEFA Nations League, they also defeated Germany away and again against England.
However, consecutive losses had pierced confidence, and in order to survive and advance to the knockout stages, Marco Rossi’s team needed to defeat Scotland.
In an effort-filled first half with little real opportunities, Scotland’s Angus Gunn denied Bendeguz Bolla’s dipping drive, which bounced awkwardly in front of him. Styles and Willi Orban were also booked for taking out McGinn.
However, a risky clearance by Che Adams resulted in a free-kick for Hungary 25 yards out. Dominik Szoboszlai clipped the kick towards the far post, and Orban’s header just missed the top of the crossbar.
After missing Hungary’s last team practice, Szoboszlai dismissed injury concerns and smashed home a long-range strike; Scotland didn’t get a chance until the 53rd minute. Jack Hendry stopped Sallai’s attempt when he moved in from the left, and Marton Dardai headed over from a cross as Scotland defended valiantly.
In the Scotland area, Varga attempted to head a free-kick goalward but was left prone on his back by a terrifying moment that saw Gunn fly out and Anthony Ralston tumble to the ground.
There was a lengthy pause while the paramedics placed Varga in the recovery position and then carried him off on a stretcher with a sheet wrapped around him.
When Stuart Armstrong was tackled by Orban and went down, Scotland saw a disputed penalty appeal waved down before the fourth official signaled the start of stoppage time. That caused both teams to go on a desperate search for the game-winning goal.
Gunn made excellent saves against Szoboszlai and Andras Schafer before Csoboth struck the post. Grant Hanley, a defender for Scotland, had a chance that Peter Gulacsi parried, but Hungary raced to the other end, and Csoboth finished Sallai’s cutback to crush Scottish hearts.
Argentinean referee Facundo Tello’s decision to not give Scotland a penalty infuriated Steve Clarke:
“A hundred percent fine. I need to hear from someone, somewhere, as to why that isn’t a crime. “It is definitely a punishment. We receive the penalty; tonight might be different.
“I have further terms, but I won’t use them. “European competition—having a European referee could have been preferable. The referee may not have seen the challenge clearly on the field because of the European VAR.
“What’s the purpose of VAR if they’re not going to come in on something like that? “It’s a penalty.”
