5 months ago
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Scotland’s Euros are over after they failed to register a shot in a 1-0 defeat to Hungary.
Heading into Euro 2024, expectations were high for Scotland, with many expecting them to challenge Switzerland for second place behind Germany in Group A and failing that to be in the mix as a potential third-place qualifier for the knockout rounds.
Instead, they’re heading home after a highly disappointing group stage capped by an even more disappointing final game that saw them record zero shots in a must-win game against Hungary that they ended up losing 1-0 to seal their fourth place fate.
“There’s nothing really to say to be honest,” said a dejected Andy Robertson following the match, the Liverpool left back and Scotland captain left to make sense of it all. “We knew we had to win, both teams had to win, and they’ve hit us on the counter.
“We’ve had our chances and I think it could have gone either way, but that’s football. It will take a long time to get over this one. We did go for it. A draw wasn’t going to be enough. Both teams had to go for it and unfortunately one of us had to lose.”
Quibbles over whether Scotland actually went after much of anything aside, it’s opponents Hungary who are now in the mix as a potential third place qualifier—though on three points with only four of six third place sides advancing, they aren’t favoured.
Scotland, who went into Sunday’s game with a point, would’ve been more likely to advance if they’d won and ended the group stages on four points. It’s a difficult end, then, to a Euros that started with some high hopes, but then that’s the case for most.
“We have to hope in the future but tonight, and for a long time, we have to get over this,” Robertson added. “It’s a tough one. Tonight is devastating, all the lads are absolutely gutted. It’s up to us to pick them up, but that only happens slowly but surely.
“What I will say is thank you to the country because we felt everybody behind us. We knew the excitement back home, sorry for letting you down.”
