Official start of the last day of the group stage of Euro 2024 in Germany this Sunday evening. While Switzerland and Germany crossed swords in Frankfurt, the two other nations of Group A faced each other on the pitch of the MHP Arena in Stuttgart for a big stake. Indeed, Scotland, which gleaned a point against Switzerland (1-1) after having lost heavily against Germany (5-1), could still finish second in the group in the event of a defeat by the Swiss against the Germans at the same time. Hungary lost its first two matches (1-3, 2-0) and absolutely had to win this match to hope to secure one of the best third places in the group stage. For this match, Steve Clarke, deprived of Tierney (injured) and Porteous (suspended), lined up a Scottish 5-4-1 with Gunn in goal, Ralston, Hendry, Hanley, McKenna and Robertson in defense, a midfielder McTominay- Gilmour-McGregor-McGinn and, finally, Adams, alone at the forefront of the attack.
Opposite, Marco Rossi started Hungary in 3-4-2-1 with Peter Gulacsi in goal, Fiola-Orban-Dárdai as rearguard, Styles, at the expense of Nagy, in front of the defense alongside Schäfer while Bolla and Kerkez played the roles of pistons. Finally, in front, Sallai and Szoboszlai were in support of Varga on the front of the attack. The first period will not remain engraved in the annals of the competition. Indeed, the two teams probably had one of the worst halves since the start of this 2024 edition. At the break, the score was blank and the content was very weak technically and very poor in clear chances. The Scots did not attempt a single strike in the first act, while the Hungarians created some interesting situations. From a free kick just in front of the Scottish area, Dominik Szoboszlai sent a perfect ball to the head of Willi Orban at the far post. The Hungarian defender missed his helmet shot which went over the goal (41st).
Huge concern for Varga, Csoboth liberates Hungary!
While the meeting was having difficulty settling, an action terrified the entire staff. In the 68th minute, on a long free kick taken by Dominik Szoboszlai, the Scottish goalkeeper, Angus Gunn, came out to punch the ball but hit everyone in the pile. Anthony Ralston and Barnabás Varga were on the ground for a long time. But the concern was above all for the Hungarian player. Barnabás Varga appeared totally stunned and was placed in a safe side position by his teammates. He was then taken care of by the caregivers and was even hidden by a large canvas deployed by the medical staff around him. The production subsequently filmed the stands. A scene which recalled the tragic episode of Christian Eriksen in 2021. The game subsequently resumed. The Hungarians pushed and multiplied the offensives by passing on the sides but the Scottish defense was well in place and did not let anything slip through. It was from the 80th minute that the pace finally began to intensify in Stuttgart, both teams seemed to finally realize that they had to score and win this match to hope to qualify. Generally speaking, the Hungarians came back with much better intentions than at the start of the match. Marco Rossi’s players quietly settled into the Scottish camp in the second act with the hope of finding the fault.
Nearing the end of the match, from midfield, András Schäfer broke through the entire Scottish block without being attacked. The Hungarian midfielder then attempted a shot close to the post but Angus Gunn lay down to push the ball away for a corner (90th). Kevin Csoboth found Martin Ádám with his back to goal in front of the box. The number 9 gave the ball to Dominik Szoboszlai on the right of the goal. The Liverpool player, eccentric on the right, sent a cannonball but Angus Gunn pushed back (90th + 1). Also launched on the right of the goal, Kevin Csoboth presented himself against Angus Gunn and crossed his shot well from the right. The Tartan Army goalkeeper touched the leather of his hand a little and allowed the ball to end up on his right post (90th + 2). With ten minutes of added time, Hungary continued to push despite some Scottish attacks with Lewis Morgan (90th+6) and Grant Haley (90th+8). And at the end of the suspense, Kevin Csoboth offered the victory. On a counter flash, Roland Sallai, launched on the right side, sent a very good cross back. Kevin Csoboth then arrived at full speed and finished the action with a shot with the flat of his right foot (90th + 9, 0-1). With 3 points and a 3rd place in group A, Hungary can still believe it.
footmercato
