Heartbreak for Scotland as Hungary snatched a dramatic victory in the dying moments of their Euro 2024 Group A clash. The match, played in Stuttgart, Germany, remained scoreless for most of the game, with both teams struggling to convert chances. Hungary came closest in the first half when Willi Orban’s header from a Szoboszlai freekick clipped the bar. Scotland’s best opportunity fell just after the break, but Che Adams fired his shot over the goal.
The tension mounted as the clock ticked down. A sickening collision between Hungarian striker Barnabas Varga and Scotland’s goalkeeper Angus Gunn forced a lengthy stoppage in the second half. Varga was stretchered off unconscious, leaving Hungarian players visibly shaken. Thankfully, reports later confirmed he was in a stable condition.
Scotland pressed for a winning goal in the closing stages, with a penalty appeal waved away in the 79th minute. Hope seemed to be fading for Hungary, but they displayed incredible resilience. In the first minute of stoppage time, Hungary nearly took the lead when Szoboszlai’s shot was well saved by Gunn. The drama continued a minute later as Csoboth rattled the post from a promising position.
Just as it seemed the game was destined for a frustrating draw, a remarkable turnaround unfolded. Scotland pushed forward for a final corner, leaving their defense exposed. Hungary capitalized on the Scottish gamble, launching a swift counter-attack. A long ball found Csoboth in the box, and this time, he made no mistake, slotting the ball calmly past the stranded Gunn. The Hungarian fans erupted in delirious celebration, while the Scottish players slumped to the ground in despair.
This last-gasp winner kept Hungary’s Euro dream alive. Csoboth’s goal secured them a crucial three points and positioned them in third place in Group A, with a chance to progress to the knockout stages. For Scotland, the defeat was a bitter pill to swallow. They came agonizingly close to securing their first-ever win in the knockout round of a major tournament, only to be denied at the death. The result extends their long wait for success on the international stage, leaving them with just two points and a bottom-place finish in the group.
Despite the contrasting emotions, both teams deserve credit for their fighting spirit throughout the match. Hungary displayed remarkable resolve to snatch victory in the dying seconds, while Scotland never gave up hope despite facing a strong Hungarian defense. The dramatic finale in Stuttgart will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the most thrilling moments of Euro 2024.
