Euro 2024: Scotland Dream While Hungary Hang On

Scotland vs Hungary

Steve Clarke’s Scotland are still alive in the Euro 2024 after two games, and the Tartan Army have hopes of reaching the knockout phase of a major tournament for the first time in their proud nation’s history.

A battling draw 1-1 draw against Switzerland was enough to take Scotland to the last game at the group stage while, after suffering two defeats, Hungary’s hopes are hanging by a thread as they sit rock bottom of Group A.

Marco Rossi’s Magyars have a slim chance of qualifying as a third-place finisher, but they need to win and results to go their way elsewhere, and this all makes their match against Hungary a fascinating prospect.

The Stuttgart Arena will be bouncing on Sunday when the teams walk out, backed by two of the most passionate set of fans in European football.

Even if the match could end in an exit for both teams, there is still hope there will be an almighty battle for a potentially priceless win.

Talking Points

Scotland’s defencive worries  

Clarke is in a rare position of being a Scotland manager at a major finals, and one which has a genuine chance of making it through to a knockout phase, but he will be under no illusion that his defence needs to play out of its skin for the Scots to pull a win out of the hat.

Scott McTominay’s early strike, turned into his own net by Fabian Schar, gave Clarke’s men a dream start against Switzerland, but Xherdan Shaqiri soon levelled with a beautiful strike.

And while the Scots did hit the woodwork, Switzerland had two goals ruled marginally offside, and Zeki Amdouni missed a golden chance to win the game with a free header late in the game.

After the Scots’ defence unravelled against Germany, they certainly put up a better show against a strong Switzerland side, and the dynamic running and leadership of Andrew Robertson is a huge asset.

But when wing-back Kieran Tierney limped off, the defence made up of the skipper and Anthony Ralston, Jack Hendry, Scott McKenna, and veteran hard man Grant Hanley looked more like a Scottish Premier League backline, and that won’t be enough to stop the Magyars from making new Euro 2024 highlights.

Scotland are light up front too with Southampton’s Che Adams leading the line. But with Robertson, McTominay, and Aston Villa’s John McGinn in the side, they do have three top quality players, and they have enough about them to lift the rest of the squad.

It all needs to come together on one big night, though.

Szoboszlai is Hungary’s best hope

The Magyars’ loss to Germany on Wednesday was expected by many, but it was no easy ride for the hosts as Hungary, pushed on by skipper Szoboszlai, threatened to level at times until Ilkay Gundogan scored a second-half goal to make it 2-0.

While Hungary failed to do themselves justice in a 3-1 loss to Switzerland, they certainly gave it a go against Germany, recording 11 shots and four on target as Szoboszlai pulled the strings.

The Liverpool man dictated the pace of the Magyars’ game, and his delivery in open play or from dead ball situations can be deadly. And with the lively pair of Barnabas Varga and Rolland Sallai up front, the Scotland defence will be seriously tested.

At the other end of the pitch, Hungary have RB Leipzig powerhouse Willi Orban, who had a torrid time against the Germans, robbed by Gundogan, who set up the first goal. He will certainly be determined to make amends against the Scots.

Remember, this is a nation which has beaten Germany and England twice in recent years and came into the game in good form. Now, Hungary are playing for pride and they have a slim hope of progress to the knockouts.

History

We don’t have too much to work on in terms of the head-to-heads between Scotland and Hungary. The two teams have met only twice, both friendlies some time ago, and have won one each.

In terms of recent form, Hungary came into the tournament in much better form, but two losses leave them with three wins and three defeats from the last six games, while the Scots have won once, drawn two, and lost three. 

Betting Tip

With the Magyars clinging on to survival in the tournament, the Euro 2024 betting odds have evened up somewhat, and Hungary are only marginal favourites at SBOTOP odds of 2.45, with Scotland at 2.52, and the draw is at priced at 3.36.

Clarke’s men will play with passion and belief after they drew with Switzerland, but Hungary have more quality in their squad, better form this year, and a point to prove.

 

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