Ungaria and Scotland will take to the field tonight with high stakes riding on this Group A clash. A victory for Scotland would reignite their hopes of making it into the knockout rounds, while a loss could prove fatal.
Steve Clarke’s side found themselves struggling to break down a staunch Hungarian defense before Csoboth’s winner broke Scottish hearts as their wait for major tournament knockout stage participation continues.
In this article, we will discuss the high lights of Scotland National Football Team vs Hungary National Football Team Standings.
Scotland Starting XI:
| No. | Player | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Angus Gunn | Goalkeeper |
| 2 | Anthony Ralston | Right Wing-Back |
| 3 | Andrew Robertson (c) | Left Wing-Back |
| 4 | Scott McTominay | Midfielder |
| 5 | Grant Hanley | Centre-Back |
| 7 | John McGinn | Midfielder |
| 8 | Callum McGregor | Midfielder |
| 10 | Che Adams | Forward |
| 13 | Jack Hendry | Centre-Back |
| 14 | Billy Gilmour | Midfielder |
| 26 | Scott McKenna | Centre-Back |
Hungary Starting XI:
| No. | Player | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Péter Gulácsi | Goalkeeper |
| 6 | Willi Orbán | Centre-Back |
| 10 | Dominik Szoboszlai (c) | Attacking Midfielder |
| 11 | Milos Kerkez | Left Midfielder |
| 13 | András Schäfer | Central Midfielder |
| 14 | Bendegúz Bolla | Right Midfielder |
| 17 | Callum Styles | Central Midfielder |
| 19 | Barnabás Varga | Forward |
| 20 | Roland Sallai | Attacking Midfielder |
| 21 | Endre Botka | Centre-Back |
| 24 | Márton Dárdai | Centre-Back |
Scotland
Scotland will look to build on their impressive start to their Euro 2024 qualification campaign against Hungary with victory, in a game which could determine both their standings and chances of finishing top two in Group A. Manager Steve Clarke will want his squad to demonstrate improved play after falling 5-1 against Germany on the opening game of this tournament.
Scotland and Hungary first competed against each other competitively back in 1938, and have met numerous times since. Since then, their rivalry has only intensified, with both teams eager to claim victory over one another’s ancient foes.
Scotland have shown substantial improvement under new manager Steve Clarke since starting Euro 2024 qualifying campaign poorly. After suffering a 5-1 defeat against Germany, Scotland rallied to draw 1-1 with Switzerland and have an outside chance at making final knockout stage tournament. A loss to Hungary would be devastating for Scotland however.
The match will take place at the Westfalenstadion in Stuttgart and should prove an intense, close contest between both teams. Each has strong defensive units; therefore a goalless draw would likely be an appropriate result.
Hungary may be struggling early on in this tournament, but they possess both the quality and experience to turn things around. Beating Scotland would give Hungary much-needed confidence boost while helping secure them a spot in the final knockout stage of competition.
Bendeguz Bolla made an accurate long-range shot that forced Angus Gunn into an impressive save from long range. However, following an effective move by Scottish defense involving Stuart Armstrong whose effort was saved by Hungarian goalkeeper, Gunn was forced into another spectacular save from Bendeguz Bolla’s long range shot.
As both teams search for an early goal, both are working to break through and score. Hungary attempts to break through Scottish defense with numerous crosses but no one is there to turn them in. Scott McTominay attempts to find space on the left flank but his cross is poor and goes out for a corner kick.
Hungary
Hungary are coming into this match-up after suffering a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Germany, effectively ending their hopes of reaching the last 16. However, they have shown some resilience throughout both opening games and may still hold out hope of finishing in one of the top four spots to reach the knockout stage. Scotland, on the other hand, may need one of three third-place finishes as their qualification for knockout stage play is far less certain.
First half ends without any goals being scored as both teams prefer playing cautiously in the final third. Hungary’s Szoboszlai comes close with a low free-kick but Ralston’s arm deflects it without penalty being awarded; similarly, Scotland struggles to make any significant progress through possession as they wait for an opportunity.
Hendry collides into Schafer in the middle of the park and receives a yellow card, although on replay this was more a dive to win the ball than an attempted tackle. After taking aim, Hendry attempts to take around Szoboszlai but his shot from outside of the box deflects wide.
Scots captain Hendry and McGinn have been replaced by Lewis Morgan and Callum McGregor; with McGregor making his debut as left-back.
Scotland have struggled to break into the final third and their hopes for goal appear dashed as Szoboszlai hits the crossbar with his left-footed shot, before goalkeeper Gulacsi efficiently deals with Orban’s header from a corner corner.
As Che Adams is penalised for fouling Milos Kerkez, Hungary are awarded a free-kick outside Scotland’s penalty area. Szoboszlai attempts to take it but his shot goes wide of its intended target.
The Scottish team are struggling to break down Hungarian defensives as they fail to create anything in the final third and their defensive mistakes continue to cost them goals and ground advantage. Their goal deficit has now grown to seven points and there seems less chance that second place finish may occur any time soon.
Head-to-Head Record
Scotland are searching for their first win against Hungary since 2017 and seventh overall, but Hungary have an excellent track record against Scotland – having defeated them in an European 2024 play-off matchup via goals scored by Erin Cuthbert and Caroline Weir in 2018. Their respective second international goals secured them victory 2-0 to clinch it all the way.
Pedro Martinez Losa’s Tartan Army claimed their first win under new coach Pedro Martinez Losa, and have only lost once of five meetings against Hungary since 2009. Weir’s cool finish off a Martha Thomas backheel put the game out of reach before half time while Cuthbert’s 15-yard effort deflected off goalkeeper and over the line to give Scotland their inaugural clean sheet at home in Pedro’s debut match as coach on 27 March – which also served as their new manager’s debut match under new coach Pedro Martinez Losa.
Scotland showed significant improvement following their 5-1 defeat at Germany in Group A match one, although further success must be found to reach the last 16 of a major tournament for the first time since 1998 World Cup.
Scotland are in good shape to qualify for the last 16 with home games against Hungary and Finland as their final group matches, although if they lose either, a big win in Stuttgart may be needed to keep hopes alive and make up ground in Stuttgart.
Predictions
On Sunday, Scotland will welcome their Tartan Army supporters to Hampden Stadium with the hope that their presence can inspire Steve Clarke’s men to victory in this Nations League campaign. A win would strengthen their chances of qualifying for European competition beyond this round.
Scotland faces an uphill climb when placed into Group F alongside Germany, Hungary and Switzerland. Scotland have not scored any goals thus far but did show signs of improvement against Switzerland.
Una draw against Hungary would be devastating to their chances of reaching the knockout stage, placing them bottom of the table if they lost or even winning without guaranteeing one of three qualifying spots for next round.
Scottish fans have not only shown their support in full voice for their team despite its poor position in the standings, but they have been particularly vocal this weekend as Scott McTominay put Scotland ahead with an exquisite strike from outside of the box after Billy Gilmour had delivered an expert pass which set up Scott. Billy Gilmour then played Billy a pass perfectly weighted for McTominay to strike and put Scotland 1-0 ahead after 13 minutes.
Unfortunately for the Scots, their impressive start was cut short when Xerdan Shaqiri equalised just before half-time for their visitors Xerdan Shaqiri equalised for them just before half-time Xerdan Shaqiri made an impressive save from Dan Ndoye and Ruben Vargas to equalize for them and prevent another victory for Scotland.
Hungary are similarly in a precarious position and cannot afford another defeat if they hope to advance to the knockout stage. They’ve struggled in both games thus far without scoring, suggesting they may be eliminated unless they pick up a victory here.
Due to both teams lacking top-level scoring threats, this match appears set for a defensive affair. Both squads may prefer sitting back and protecting their lead; therefore betting under 2.5 goals may be wise in this instance.