Heartbroken Scotland fans were left devastated as they watched their team’s hopes of advancing to the Euro 2024 knockout stages dashed by a last-minute defeat to Hungary.
Tartan Army supporters, clad in kilts, cut dejected figures as they traveled back from Stuttgart late Sunday night, following their side’s agonizing 1-0 loss to Hungary at the MHPArena.
Needing at least a draw to maintain their qualification hopes, the Scots conceded a heartbreaking winner in the dying moments of the game, courtesy of Hungarian forward Kevin Csoboth.
This marked yet another early exit for Scotland from a major tournament, having failed to advance past the group stages in 12 attempts across the World Cup and Euros.
Scotland fans resorted to sleeping in luggage racks and on train floors as their team’s Euro 2024 journey came to an abrupt end.
Tartan Army supporters, clad in kilts, looked dejected as they traveled back from Stuttgart after their team’s defeat.
A Scotland fan sleeps on the floor of the train, still dressed in the team’s jersey and a traditional kilt.
A dejected Scotland fan is overcome with emotion as he breaks down in tears.
The defeat left fans vocalizing their criticisms of the team’s performance, with Scotland managing only one shot on target compared to Hungary’s five.
One supporter, expressing his frustration outside the MHPArena, directed his comments at manager Steve Clarke, stating: ‘Steve Clarke, I’ve had enough. You’re useless, and I’m sick of this. I’ve spent a fortune to be here, and we didn’t even have a shot on target.’
Scotland’s Euro 2024 campaign started on a disappointing note with a 5-1 loss to Germany, but a subsequent draw against Switzerland kept their qualification hopes alive until the final group game.
However, another fan offered a different perspective, attributing Scotland’s early exit to their extensive injury list, rather than managerial decisions.
‘We’ve had a great time, and the Hungarian fans have been fantastic hosts. It’s just a bit disappointing, that’s all,’ the fan said, choosing to focus on the positives of the tournament.
When asked about the manager’s role, the fan defended Clarke, stating: ‘I have faith in Stevie Clarke. He’s taken us to two Euros. The last time we qualified was in ’96, and we were at the World Cup in ’98. Whatever Stevie Clarke says, I’ll go with.’
Scotland fans sleep on the floor of a train station in Stuttgart, exhausted and disheartened after their team’s loss.
A heartbroken member of the Tartan Army reacts to Scotland’s group stage exit.
It was a disappointing end to the tournament for Scotland, finishing bottom of Group A.
Defeat in Stuttgart means the Scotland team and their fans will be heading home early.
A Scotland fan makes a makeshift bed while waiting on a train station platform in Stuttgart.
Dejected Scotland fans wait for their train home, their faces bearing the weight of their team’s defeat.
Scotland fans react in shock as their side concedes a last-minute goal to Hungary.
Scotland fans express their frustrations after their team’s group stage exit.
Steve Clarke, Scotland’s manager, watches on as his side suffers a late defeat.
A Scotland fan voices his frustration, criticizing the team’s performance and lack of shots on target.
Scotland’s early exit from Euro 2024 continues their streak of group stage exits.
Other fans attributed Scotland’s struggles to their extensive injury list during the tournament.
Scotland needed a win against Hungary and favorable results from other group matches to qualify for the knockouts.
The supporter continued to defend Clarke, stating: ‘We didn’t get any shots, but the injury list was the real issue. We don’t have the same depth as teams like England or Italy.’
With 10 minutes remaining, Scotland’s Stuart Armstrong went down inside the Hungarian penalty area, but the referee waved away penalty appeals. A subsequent VAR check upheld the original decision, much to the frustration of the Scots.
Clarke was vocal in his criticism of the officiating, stating: ‘The biggest point in the game is the penalty. I don’t understand how VAR can look at that and not give it. I have words for it, but I’d rather keep my money.’
Kevin Csoboth’s last-minute goal shattered Scotland’s hopes of reaching the knockouts.
Clarke blasted the officials for not awarding Scotland a penalty.