What Scotland need in final group game to reach Euro 2024 knockout stages

Scotland still have hope of reaching the European Championship knockout stages for the first time ever.

The Tartan Army were unable to beat Switzerland in their second game in Group A as they were held to a 1-1 draw last time out.

However, the battling point was still pivotal in their chances of progression, leaving them with the opportunity to get the job done against Hungary, live on talkSPORT.

A win in that game is vital, otherwise, Steve Clarke’s side look set to be heading home…

Scotland’s Euro 2024 permutations

The top two teams from each group will qualify automatically for the last-16, with the best four third-placed teams also making the first knockout round.

After the draw with Switzerland, Scotland now have to beat Hungary and hope that Switzerland lose to Germany to finish in the top two. 

As well as that happening, they’ll also need a six-goal swing in their favour which is unlikely. 

So the chances of guaranteed qualification are very slim, but there would still be hope of being one of the best four third-placed teams. 

Again, a win against Hungary is the most-wanted outcome as that would put them on four points. 

And four points are very likely to be enough to qualify, depending on the tally of the third-placed teams in other groups.

A draw against Hungary may still be enough, but that would require a lot of luck as so many other teams would still need to play and fail to win any of their games.

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As things stand, Scotland are not one of the four third-placed teams set to go through, but a win would do it.

If the Tartan Army end up level on points with other teams in third and they need to be separated, it will then come down to goal difference and that isn’t ideal. 

They currently sit on -4 and if it isn’t improved, it is likely to massively impact them should it come down to that. 

If that is also level though, goals scored, wins, disciplinary points and qualifying ranking are then all taken into account in that order. 

Scotland have never reached the knockout stage of a European Championship and they’re desperate to change that. 

And now they know just one win will likely get them there.