Scotland were sent crashing out at Euro 2024 after Kevin Csoboth scored a stoppage-time winner to snatch a 1-0 win for Hungary on Sunday.
Csoboth was denied late on by the woodwork but then delivered the decisive strike with the latest goal ever scored in a European Championship match (excluding extra time), timed at 99 minutes and 32 seconds.
Victory moved Hungary up to three points in Group A and with a chance of knockout-stage progression, though there was cause for concern as Barnabas Vargas left the pitch on a stretcher in the second half.
Vargas collided with Scotland goalkeeper Angus Gunn in an aerial duel, with a lengthy stoppage following for a head injury as Hungary's players and staff formed a wall to protect their striker inside the six-yard box.
That prolonged period of time was added on at the end, setting up the match-winning moment as Csoboth linked up with Roland Sallai before slotting his team-mate's cross into bottom-left corner.
Csoboth's late heroics saw Steve Clarke's side drop to bottom of their pool, with just a point to their name as Scotland's wait for a knockout-stage appearance at a major tournament stretched to 12 attempts.
Scotland's showing hardly merited an unlikely progression, however, as their best chance came when Stuart Armstrong was felled by Willi Orban, only for the referee to wave away penalty appeals.
The VAR stuck with the on-field decision, much to Clarke's frustration, before Scotland failed to heed the warning sign of Csoboth's late strike against Gunn's left-hand post and were subsequently punished.
Data Debrief: Familiar struggles for Scotland
This was Scotland’s 12th major tournament group stage and in 50% of those they have failed to win a single match – at the 1954, 1958, 1986 and 1998 World Cups and Euro 2020 and 2024.
Clarke can have no complaints either as Scotland had just 17 shots at this tournament – since the group stage was introduced in 1980, that is the joint fewest by a nation in a group stage, along with Northern Ireland at Euro 2016.
Meanwhile, Hungary ended a run of eight Euros matches without a win, registering their first victory since a 2-0 win over Austria at Euro 2016 – keeping Marco Rossi's side in the hunt for the last 16.
Vancouver Whitecaps v St. Louis City: Sartini calls for courage in Canada
A defiant Vanni Sartini believes Vancouver Whitecaps are on the right track, but called for more confidence and courage when St. Louis City visit in MLS.
The Whitecaps endured a disappointing two-game road stretch, culminating in their 2-0 defeat to Portland Timbers last time out.
That loss saw Vancouver drop to ninth in the Western Conference standings, only clinging onto the final playoff spot by way of a superior goal difference over Seattle Sounders.
Sartini acknowledged the frustrations of the last two showings, though suggests the Whitecaps can get back on course at BC Place.
"The concerns are always there, even if you win," Sartini said at pre-match media availability.
"It sounds very easy to say, but we just need to be a little better. That means a lot of things, however. Our performance hasn't gone down dramatically.
"The efficiency of our performances has gone down dramatically, though. We need to be better at finishing our chances, and being mentally stronger.
"The last couple of games before the break, we had two strong mental performances [in Kansas and Colorado]. Even though we weren't playing amazingly, we weren't making mistakes.
"The last two games away, we created more chances than in the games before, but we have been too easy to beat, we get a little flat when we hit the first trouble of those matches.
"We need to be more confident, courageous and more like: 'let's focus on the task'. If we are doing this, then the margin to make a lot of points is shorter."
Bradley Carnell's visitors are winless in their last eight domestic outings following a 1-1 draw with Atlanta United in their most recent fixture.
St. Louis are just three places behind the Whitecaps, though, with this the chance to strike a blow to their hosts' playoff hopes.
Carnell must arrest a poor spell in front of goal, however, as St. Louis have scored the second-fewest goals in the West this season (24).
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Vancouver Whitecaps – Ryan Gauld
Ryan Gauld has followed up his 11-goal 2023 with nine goals already this season.
With one more goal, Gauld will become the third Whitecaps player with multiple 10-goal seasons (Camilo Sanvezzo, Brian White) and the first to do so in consecutive campaigns.
St. Louis City – Indiana Vassilev
Indiana Vassilev scored his fifth regular-season goal for St. Louis on Saturday, becoming the sixth different player to hit the mark for the club in league play.
Only three teams have more players with five or more regular-season goals than St. Louis since they joined the league in 2023 (Real Salt Lake, Minnesota United, FC Cincinnati – seven each).
MATCH PREDICTION – VANCOUVER WHITECAPS WIN
The Whitecaps are the likely favourites for a narrow victory in this one, owing to St. Louis' woeful away form.
Carnell's side have managed only three wins in 26 games on the road in all competitions (drawn eight, lost 15) since winning their first three away matches in club history between February and March 2023.
Yet, it will be by no means straightforward for Vancouver.
They have lost consecutive matches following the defeat to Portland on Saturday, but Vancouver have not suffered three straight defeats within a single regular season since August-September 2022.
There is little to split these two teams in terms of the head-to-head record, with each side recording a home win against the other in two meetings between Vancouver and St. Louis City last season.
The hosts scored three goals in each game, while Brian White scored in both outings for the Whitecaps.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Vancouver Whitecaps win – 51.1%
Draw – 24.8%
St. Louis City win – 24%
Euro 2024 social round-up: Kvaratskhelia receives priceless souvenir as Varga returns home
And with that, the Euro 2024 group stages conclude on yet another dramatic day of action across Germany.
Turkiye, Georgia, Romania, Belgium and Slovakia were the final teams to secure their place in the knockout stages of the tournament.
Here, we unpack the best of Wednesday's social media clips from the football at the European Championship.
Germany eyeing Denmark task
Julian Nagelsmann's side now know their opponents for the knockout stages of Euro 2024 following the conclusion of Group C on Tuesday.
The hosts will travel to Dortmund this Saturday to play Denmark at the Westfalenstadion for a place in the quarter-finals.
Having had two extra days of rest compared to their opponents, Germany will be hopeful of continuing their impressive start to the tournament.
Varga returns to Hungary
Following a successful operation, Hungary striker Barnabas Varga has been discharged from hospital and returned home to continue his recovery.
The 29-year-old was left with multiple broken facial bones and a concussion after colliding with Scotland goalkeeper Angus Gunn last Sunday.
Varga's club side, Ferencvaros, posted a picture to X of the striker waving to the camera upon his return back.
Skills on show from Zinchenko
Ahead of Ukraine's meeting with Belgium in Stuttgart, defender Oleksandr Zinchenko was seen showing off his skills.
The Arsenak full-back was introduced as a second-half substitute against the Red Devils, but was unable to prevent his side from finishing bottom of Group E.
Ukraine became the first side in European Championship history to fail to progress to the knockout stages of the competition after claiming four points.
A night to remember for Kvaratskhelia
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia starred in a landmark triumph for Georgia over Portugal, and was able to grab a souvenir to remember the occasion.
In a video posted to his Instagram, the Napoli forward managed to grab Cristiano Ronaldo's shirt at full-time.
With that memento to cherish, Kvaratskhelia will hope to power Georgia through Sunday's last-16 meeting with Spain, the only side still boasting a 100 per cent record in Germany.
Nagelsmann's future number one?
Germany confirmed top spot in Group A on Matchday 3, coming from a goal down to draw with Switzerland in Frankfurt.
Manuel Neuer has kept one clean sheet from his three games, but could have found his future replacement in goal.
The Bayern Munich goalkeeper was seen sharing a moment with a ball boy prior to kick-off, with the youngster approving of Neuer's throw to him with a thumbs up.
De la Fuente thanks Spanish journalists
The relationship between footballers and journalists can often come into question but that is not the case for Spain manager Luis de la Fuente.
La Roja's head coach met with the Spanish media to thank them for their coverage of Spain's perfect start to the tournament, even sharing food and drink with them.
Kane ready for important part of Euro 2024
After failing to dazzle in their three group games, England captain Harry Kane insists his side are ready to shine in the knockout stages of Euro 2024.
The Bayern Munich striker joined Josh Denzel on Wednesday's episode of the Lions' Den, discussing finishing top of Group C and controlling their destiny moving forward.
"Got a game on Sat!"
The Azzurri face a stern test in the last-16 as they look to retain their European Championship crown.
Luciano Spalletti's side face Switzerland in Berlin on Saturday, with Italy's social media account quick to remind them of getting back into training.
Ferdinand backs Mainoo and Palmer to take England to glory
There were perhaps only two positives from England's draw with Slovakia; topping the group and the introductions of Kobbie Mainoo and Cole Palmer.
The Three Lions young guns made their case for a starting spot against Slovakia in their last-16 fixture on Sunday.
And Rio Ferdinand believes Gareth Southgate must start the pair in Gelsenkirchen, and for the rest of the tournament to stand any chance of success.
England and Netherlands avoid last-16 clash as Georgia eliminate Hungary
England will face Slovakia as the Netherlands take on Romania in the last 16 at Euro 2024 after Hungary were eliminated on Wednesday.
Both the Three Lions and the Oranje had already qualified for the knockout stage following their respective third matches on Tuesday, but the identity of their opponents in the next round was still awaited.
And it had appeared likely two of Europe's heavyweights would meet in the round of 16, with the Netherlands third in their group and potentially paired with Group C winners England.
However, Georgia's shock win against Portugal altered the draw, sending Hungary home at the debutants' expense.
Spain, the only team with a 100 per cent record, will face Georgia, while Portugal play Slovenia.
Instead of the Netherlands, England will meet Slovakia, with Ronald Koeman's men instead set for a clash with Group E winners Romania.
The half of the draw involving England and the Netherlands appears wide open, with a number of heavyweights doing battle in the opposite side.
Euro 2024 last 16 draw in full:
Switzerland v Italy
Germany v Denmark
England v Slovakia
Spain v Georgia
France v Belgium
Portugal v Slovenia
Romania v Netherlands
Austria v Turkiye
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