Hungary made a big surprise by overthrowing Scotland in the final match of Group A Euro 2024, Monday 24 June 2024. Hungary’s victory came with a dramatic goal in the 90+10 minute. A score of 1-0 is enough to get three points.
Played at the Stuttgart Arena, the final Group A match is considered to be running normally. Scotland is more favored due to their performance in the previous two matches. Even though they lost to Germany in the opening match, Scotland was able to match Switzerland in the second match.
The situation was much different in the Hungarian camp, which played far below expectations. They suffered two consecutive defeats, to Switzerland and to Germany. Hungary entered the third match with 0 points.
Therefore, it is natural that Scotland is more favored, but this time Hungary is ready to go all out. The match went 100 minutes without a goal, until finally Kevin Choboth scored a very late goal at the end of injury time, 90+10 minutes.
Scotland had to bite their fingers to swallow defeat at the end of the match. The efforts of Adams, McTominay and Hanley were ultimately wasted. Hungary hit Scotland who played not optimally.
These additional three points maintain Hungary’s hopes of qualifying for the round of 16 as one of the best third-ranked teams. Scotland is certain to be eliminated.
Roland Sallai was chosen as the best player, aka man of the match, Scotland vs Hungary.
Sallai did not score a goal in this match, but he provided an assist for Csoboth’s goal which proved crucial to the team’s victory.
Sallai’s game as an attacking midfielder is also very good. Hungary appeared very dominant and continued to play offensively also because of Sallai’s creation of opportunities.
It was recorded that this 27 year old midfielder attempted 3 shots and 2 key passes to open up opportunities. Sallai recorded 84% accurate passes.
Sallai’s actions and contributions made him officially selected as man of the match, according to the UEFA observer panel.
Interesting Notes on the Scotland vs Hungary Duel
This is Scotland’s 12th major tournament group stage and in 50% of them they failed to win a single game – at the 1954, 1958, 1986 and 1998 World Cups as well as Euros 2020 and 2024.
Hungary’s goal scored by Kevin Csoboth in the 100th minute was the last goal ever scored in a Euro match (excluding extra time), coming in the 99th minute and 32 seconds.
Scotland only took 17 shots in total at Euro 2024. Since the group stage was introduced in 1980, that is the fewest number of shots taken by a country in the group stage, along with Northern Ireland at Euro 2016.
Hungary ended an eight-game Euro finals run without a win, recording their first win since a 2-0 win over Austria at Euro 2016. It was also their first clean sheet since that win.
There have only been two moments at Euro 2024 where a team failed to get a shot off in the first half of a match and those were Scotland, against Germany and tonight against Hungary.
Scotland completed 249 passes in the first half. That’s the most they have ever done in the first round of a major tournament match ever recorded (1974 World Cup onwards).
Grant Hanley completed 69 passes today. That’s the most records by a Scottish player in a major tournament match that Opta has ever recorded (1974 World Cup onwards). Hanley also had more touches in the opposition penalty box than any other Scottish player today (4).
John McGinn won five fouls in this game. That’s the most by a Scotland player in a major tournament match since Christian Dailly at the 1998 World Cup against Norway (6).
