Scotland captain Andy Robertson apologised to the nation after being knocked out of Euro 2024 on Sunday evening.
The Tartan Military went into their closing group stage conflict in opposition to Hungary with each side realistically needing a win in an effort to advance to the final 16. A draw might have been sufficient for Scotland to safe qualification, however given this could have left them with solely two factors from three video games, this was broadly seen as an unlikely sufficient tally to ship them via.
Scotland’s efficiency in Stuttgart was largely flat they usually did not get out of first gear till ten minutes of stoppage time on the finish of the second half. They registered solely 4 photographs, which all got here after half-time and none of which had been on the right track.
The sport was settled by a A centesimal-minute purpose from Kevin Csoboth on the finish of a fast Hungary counter assault, and far focus has been positioned on supervisor Steve Clarke’s techniques, once more selecting to not deviate from a back-five formation till late within the day.
Talking post-match, Scotland skipper Robertson mentioned: “It’s going to take a very long time to recover from this one.
“We knew there was going to be a degree within the sport the place we may go for it and produce on the gamers we had on the bench to go for it that wee bit extra. We did go for it however we acquired sucker-punched on the finish. A draw wasn’t going to be sufficient realistically so each groups needed to go for it and sadly one in every of us needed to lose.
“Tonight is devastating. There isn’t any buttering it up. All of the lads are completely gutted. It is as much as us to choose them up and that can solely occur slowly however certainly. What I’ll say is thanks to the nation as a result of we felt everybody behind us and we knew the thrill again residence. Sorry for letting you down.”
Scotland have been knocked out within the group stage of a serious event in any respect 12 competitions they’ve certified for, 4 of which have been European Championships.
Hungary’s spot within the knockout levels is just not but assured as they nonetheless must rank among the many 4 greatest third-place groups – they at present sit third out of six within the mini-table.
