Scotland coach Clarke disappointed as Hungary knocks them out of Euro 2024; Penalty controversy sparks frustration

Scotland head coach Steve Clarke expressed his disappointment after his team was knocked out of Euro 2024 in a thrilling match against Hungary. He was particularly frustrated by the decision not to award Scotland a penalty in the final minutes of the game, which he felt was a clear cut case for one. Substitute Stuart Armstrong was brought down in the Hungarian box, but the referee and VAR officials chose not to award a penalty, leaving Clarke and former England striker Alan Shearer both feeling disappointed.

Clarke questioned the decision-making process and the presence of an Argentine referee in a European tournament. Despite missing out on a potential winning goal, he acknowledged that Scotland’s desperate attempts to win the game led to Hungary’s winning goal on the counterattack in the final moments of the match. Clarke emphasized that luck plays a big role in football and lamented that they were not on their side that night.

Looking ahead, Clarke urged his team to regroup and focus on qualifying for their next major tournament. Scotland will face tough opponents in the Nations League later in the year, and Clarke emphasized how important it is for them not to wait another 26 years to qualify for another major tournament again. He stressed the need for resilience and determination as they move forward towards achieving their next ambition.