Scotland v Hungary LIVE: Reaction as Scotland crash out to last-gasp goal after Varga horror collision

Why always Scotland? Why always like this? The same, crushing feeling – a hundred times over – brings the Tartan Army’s party at Euro 2024 crashing to a halt. With the last kick of the game and in the 100th minute, Kevin Csoboth may have sent Hungary through to the last 16. In the far corner, Hungary certainly celebrated like they are in the next round. At the other end, as defeated heroes fell to the turf, Scotland didn’t need to be told they were going home.

And so, a 12th appearance at a major tournament ended with a 12th elimination at the group stage for Scotland. But that does not tell the story of this campaign, of this night. Has a Scotland side ever got so close to making history on this stage? And how did Scotland not get a penalty, for the chance to send themselves through?

Jamie Braidwood in Stuttgart:

Niclas Fullkrug scored his second of the tournament tonight to put himself alongside a small handful of others who have managed the same - including a teammate in the Germany side.

Here’s the latest rundown of the Golden Boot race at Euro 2024:

Group A results:

Germany 5-1 Scotland

Hungary 1-3 Switzerland

--

Germany 2-0 Hungary

Scotland 1-1 Switzerland

--

Switzerland 1-1 Germany

Scotland 0-1 Hungary

If Hungary do make it through to the last 16 they’ll have done it in record-breaking fashion.

They haven’t been to a World Cup since 1986 but they have now managed three back-to-back European Championship appearances after reaching the last 16 in 2016 and the groups in 2020.

Hungary striker Barnabas Varga was stretchered off during his side’s crunch clash with Scotland after a horrific collision in a scary moment at Euro 2024.

With the score at 0-0 in the 68th minute of the Group A clash, that both sides needed to win to keep their realistic hopes of reaching the knockout stages alive, Varga, Scotland goalkeeper Angus Gunn and defender Anthony Ralston all collided while competing for a ball in the air.

Varga clattered hard into the ground and appeared to be knocked unconscious as his teammates immediately called for medical attention. Hungary captain Dominik Szoboszlai helped him into the recovery position as physios raced on to the pitch to help.

The national team later provided an update he was stable - more here:

The moment which ended Scotland: Hungary’s rapid counter ending in Csoboth scoring a super late winner.

Such dramatic scenes after an incredibly tense occasion.

Group A finishes thus:

1. Germany 7 pts
2. Switzerland 5 pts
3. Hungary 3 pts
4. Scotland 1 pt

Hungary face a wait now to see if their tally is enough to progress - as it stands they are third of four nations who qualify for the last 16, but all five other groups still have to play of course. Their minus three goal difference isn’t likely to be enough with only three points in truth.

Steve Clarke said Scotland were denied a clear penalty as they suffered a heartbreaking late defeat to Hungary and crashed out of Euro 2024 in the group stage.

Kevin Csoboth’s breakaway goal put Hungary third in Group A and brought Scotland’s hopes of reaching the knockout stages for the first time in their history to an end in Stuttgart.

But Clarke described Csoboth’s 100th minute winner as “irrelevant” and said the “big moment” of the game was the non-award of a penalty in the second half when Stuart Armstrong went down in the box.

In the other game in Group A, a reminder that Germany equalised in stoppage time through Fullkrug to end top of the quartet.

Here’s the goal which topped the Swiss at the death.

There will rightly be questions of why the penalty appeal didn’t get a second look from the VAR tonight.

But Scotland cannot really blame anybody else but themselves for a lack of attacking intent for far too long, until it was too late. They only had four shots all night to Hungary’s 12. Only Hanley late on went remotely close. Hungary hit the post twice before their late, late winner - there just wasn’t enough from Steve Clarke’s side going forward.