Match Report
Scotland’s European campaign petered out in uninspiring fashion as Hungary’s last-minute winner breaks hearts.
In the dying moments of a game that looked to send both sides out of the tournament, the Scots piled forward to attack one last corner with just a minute to go. As quickly as they had failed to take their chance, Hungary took theirs, racing to the other to snatch all points on offer.
Despite the hosts’ thrashing, the draw with Switzerland had offered hope that the side could compete and give themselves an outside chance of progression.
The early action seemed to match expectations, as John McGinn repeatedly used his body to draw defenders into committing fouls. Scotland, however, failed to take advantage of the set-pieces, allowing Hungary to clear comfortably.
Scotland continued to enjoy the lion’s share of possession. Still, the Magyars would enjoy the game’s first big chance as Bendeguz Bolla took a shot from distance, which bobbled awkwardly before bouncing off Angus Gunn.
The Tartan Army, the unofficial ‘fans of the tournament’, only grew more vociferous in their support despite the lack of imagination moving forward.
McGinn continued to trouble the opposition, but this time, Callum Styles was drawn to foul and received the first yellow card of the night.
The Aston Villa midfielder continued to harry the opposition and caught Milos Kerkez doodling on the ball before earning yet another free-kick. Again, Scotland could not take advantage of this, as Andrew Robertson failed to beat the first man.
Hungary continued to produce more threatening opportunities, being more dynamic on the ball as attacking players moved to draw Scottish players out of possession. However, they were held back by the lack of quality in the final third.
Talisman and Liverpool midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai had multiple opportunities but failed to truly test Gunn after Che Adams gave away two free-kicks outside the box.
Marco Rossi’s men looked the more lively of the two sides after the interval, continuing the probe for lapses in concentration.
Szoboszlai had another set-piece from outside the box, but the play was stopped when Barnabas Varga suffered a head injury and was stretchered off the pitch for emergency treatment.
Scotland had arguably the biggest chance of winning the match when substitute Stuart Armstrong raced into the box. On his weaker foot, the midfielder attempted to quickly shift and jumped into Orban, perhaps searching for a penalty.
As he tumbled to the ground, he raised his hands in dismay as referee Facundo Tello ignored his calls.
Steve Clarke’s men seemed to tire as the Hungarians grew in confidence, forcing a save from Gunn before hitting the post.
In the final moments of the encounter, Grant Hanley had a chance to seal the three points, but poor finishing made it easier for keeper Peter Gulacsi.
Finally, with one final corner in the 99th minute, Scotland’s ball landed at Callum McGregor’s feet. A touch with his chest was one too many as the Hungarians ran away with the ball. With forty seconds left, Kevin Csoboth was in acres of space, playing it to Roland Sallai, who slid the ball across the box back into an oncoming Csoboth.
There was a moment of silence as he curled in a pinpoint finish to earn his side a remarkable win and sent the Scots out whimpering.
No Intent
Sitting on a solitary point, Scotland needed the win to prevent the progression of their chances from being in the hands of multiple other outcomes. So, they will return home feeling they never truly left it all on the pitch. Don’t confuse possession with dominance, especially since Hungary never seemed to want the ball.
Instead of moving the ball up the pitch, Scotland continued to stifle their own momentum by making continuous back passes. Almost too afraid of a potential counter, McGregor and Billy Gilmour often dictated the ball sideways or sent it back to their defenders. A brave side punished the lack of bravery on the counter.
Andy Roberston has looked like a shadow of himself at these Euros, perhaps no surprise given his spell on the sidelines this season, but the left-back was too often Scotland’s only source of attack out wide. If the ball is moving through the centre and there are no runs to stretch the play to the fringes, there is only one place the ball is heading, and the opposition can remain compact while funnelling attacks into desired parts of the pitch before pressing.
No Ideas
Three shots on targets is a poor return for one game, but never mind three. More shocking still is the time it took Steve Clark to make changes.
Although Che Adams isn’t the finest attacker Scotland has ever seen, don’t blame him for being left alone upfront or not being Lawrence Shankland. The Hearts striker looked threatening when he came on as one of the first substitutes in the 76th minute but could do little to change things with the time given.
A still of the action would also show Scotland with six or seven players in their half, pressed by only two Hungarian attackers even if you take into account the lack of ball-playing defenders, bar Robertson, the number of players taken away from potential attacking positions allowed Hungary to sit comfortably in position.
However, Clarke’s tactical inflexibility meant he never strayed from his system, and his side remained predictable throughout.
Plenty of Excuses
Despite questions surrounding tactics, form and player selection, Steve Clarke’s decision to highlight the nationality of Argentinian Facundo Tello as the deciding factor in Scotland failing to make it to the knock-out rounds, again, despite getting two points from a possible eighteen from the last two Euros. When I asked why he did not speak to the official about the penalty decision, Clarke replied, “He probably doesn’t speak the language. Why’s he here? Why’s it not a European referee?”
Whilst the manager will have been upset following another early exit, the lack of self-reflection does not bode well for the development of the country’s football, whose issues go far deeper than a referee whose mother tongue is another European language.
People will ask why, given the side’s lack of width and pace, the manager didn’t use players like James Forrest in any of the games. The fallout from the tournament might result in the SFA determining whether or not Clarke has reached his ceiling with this team.
