Hungary knocked Scotland out of the Euros in the 10th minute of added time, while Germany’s late equaliser against Switzerland took them above the Swiss to qualify first in Group A at the Euros.
A draw wasn’t good enough for either Scotland or Hungary and both teams attacked with desperation in a chaotic end to the match before Scottish hearts were broken with a run away goal to Kevin Csoboth in the 110th minute.
That result, along with Germany’s 1-1 draw with Switzerland, left Germany top of the group with 7 points. Switzerland advance in second on 5 points while Hungary will have to wait to see if their 3 points are enough to qualify them as one of the best third-placed teams.
Scotland had claims for a penalty denied when Stuart Armstrong went down in a challenge from Willi Orban in the 78th minute but play was waved on despite their protests.
“It’s a reckless challenge from the defender. It’s a huge decision,” said former West Ham coach David Moyes on the BBC.
“Surely the people in VAR are seeing that and telling the referee to go to the screen?”
Former England striker Alan Shearer agreed.
“Orban takes Armstrong out. His right knee on to his left calf. For me that’s a clear, clear penalty.”
Scotland coach Steve Clarke, who will face calls for his departure after another early tournament exit, was livid with the effort of Argentine referee Facundo Tello.
“The goal comes as a consequence of us trying to win the game,” Clarke said.
“The goal is almost irrelevant. The moment for me was the penalty. It was 100% a penalty. Someone has to explain to me why it wasn’t a penalty because otherwise I’m thinking there’s something wrong.
“I don’t understand how VAR can look at that and say it’s not a penalty.”
“It was always a one-goal game,” he added. “We didn’t manage to get the goal, we opened up at the end to try and get it.
“The overriding feeling is to be sad for everybody, for the supporters and the country and the players are just as sad as everyone else.”
The 10 minutes of injury time came after Hungary lost striker Barnabas Varga, who was carried off after a sickening collision in the 69th minute. There was huge concern for him as he was treated on the field with later reports he was in a stable condition in hospital post-game.
Scotland captain Andy Robertson said his team “gave it everything”.
“We knew we had to win this game, and they’ve hit us on the counter-attack. It could have gone either way, but that’s football – that’s how it goes. It will take a long time to get over this one,” Robertson said.
“We had a lot of possession, first half, without doing anything with it. We had to find that cutting edge and go for it a wee bit more. We did go for it, but we got sucker-punched. A draw wasn’t going to be enough realistically.
“Tonight and for a long time we have to get over this. It’s a tough one. It’s devastating. All the lads are absolutely gutted. I will say thank you to all the supporters; sorry for letting you all down.”
In the other game, substitute Niclas Fullkrug spared German blushes after a poor performance when he headed home in the 92nd minute.The Swiss were close to advancing as group winners after an early goal from Dan Ndoye – who hit a first a first-time shot into the roof of the net from Remo Freuler’s cross.
Ndoye also had a goal ruled out for offside in the second half that would have made it 2-0. Germany’s Robert Andrich also had a strike ruled out when referee Daniele Orsato deemed there had been a foul from Jamal Musiala in the build-up.