Alan Shearer believes Scotland were denied a stonewall penalty before their hopes of qualifying for the knockout stages of Euro 2024 were crushed in the dying seconds by Hungary.
Kevin Csoboth’s breakaway goal with virtually the last kick of the match saw Hungary win 1-0 and finish third in Group A with three points while the Scots were eliminated.
Scotland’s wait to reach the knockout phase of either the Euros or World Cup goes on but things might have been different if a controversial decision had gone their way in the 79th minute.
There were huge appeals went up for a penalty after Stuart Armstrong went down in the box under challenge from behind from Willi Orban.
The referee waved play on but replays showed the Hungarian defender made plenty of contact with the Southampton man.
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There were huge appeals for a penalty when Willi Orban (R) challenged Stuart Armstrong (L)
Replays showed that Orban made clear contact with Armstrong but no penalty was given
VAR did not intervene and Shearer can’t believe that they did not.
Speaking after the game on on BBC One, he said: ‘I thought the referee gave a terrible decision when Scotland should have had a penalty. For me it was a penalty all day..’
‘Clear penalty for me. I think the assistant had a great view. It’s a terrible challenge. He gets caught and takes him out. His right knee on to his calf. Clearly.
‘That for me is a clear, clear penalty. I think that is a clear and obvious error. Clearly he’s taken him down.
Alan Shearer said it was a terrible decision from the officials not to award a spot-kick
Scottish manager David Moyes agreed and labelled it a ‘reckless challenge’ from the defender
Scottish manager David Moyes was sat next to the Newcastle icon in the studio and agreed.
‘I think that’s a penalty kick as well,’ he said. ‘That’s a reckless challenge from the defender. We were all shouting here that VAR will at least check that.’
Hungary must wait to see whether they will qualify for the last 16 in one of the places reserved for the best four third-placed finishers.
Scotland’s heartbreaking defeat means they have been eliminated from the tournament
Their progress now rests on results from other groups going their way over the next three days. However, for now Marco Rossi’s side will revel in their dramatic victory that rescued their hopes just as they thought they were heading home.
The match was a scrappy affair, with both teams struggling to exert any kind of control despite each being desperate for a win to continue their stay in Germany.
Steve Clarke’s Scotland did dominate possession in the opening 25 minutes but could not fashion any clear-cut chances. Indeed, they had no shots at all in the first half despite having 61% of the ball. They ended the match without a shot on target.
