Euro 2024: Were Scotland doomed to fail from start?

For a fair chunk of the game against Hungary, Scotland fans would have been forgiven for thinking Mel Gibson had delivered the pre-match instructions.

Thinking back to Hollywood blockbuster Braveheart, images of the kilted Australian screaming “hooooold” repeatedly came to mind as Scotland seemed content not to advance deep into Hungarian territory in Stuttgart.

There was a late cavalry charge, but by then the legs were going and the gaps were opened at the other end.

Scoring goals and having a lack of cutting edge is not a new issue for Scotland.

They’ve only scored more than twice in a game three times in their last 20. Two were against Cyprus and one was a dead rubber at home to Norway.

It’s an issue which was only further highlighted by the loss of Dykes, as well as the absence of attacking width from Tierney, Hickey or Patterson.

It triggered a nervousness at the back, too, drawing the dynamic Billy GIlmour deeper and deeper to receive the ball when the Scots desperately wanted him further forward.

“Hungary clearly have done their homework,” said Scotland captain Rachel Corsie on BBC One.

“They obviously felt if you allow Scotland to have the ball they’ll struggle to break you down and create clear opportunities.”

Scotland’s expected goal tallies of 0.02, 0.76 and 0.17 for the three group games tell their own sad story.