Key events
Past meetings, then, and let’s start with “SCOTLAND’S BRAVE DISPLAY: Beaten but Not Humbled.” That was the Manchester Guardian’s headline after a Scottish XI containing two players apiece from Partick Thistle, Preston and Clyde took on Ferenc Puskas, Nandor Hidegkuti, Sandor Kocsis, Joszef Bozsik et al at Hampden in December 1954. Bozsik and Hidegkuti put the visitors two up after 26 minutes; goals by Tommy Ring and Bobby Johnstone later sandwiched Hungary’s third by Karoly Sandor; and Scotland were the better team for the majority of the second half in pushing for an equaliser, before Kocsis sealed a 4-2 win for Hungary in the final minute.
A more-than-decent showing, and Scotland followed it up with a brave 3-1 defeat in Budapest the following May, Gordon Smith giving the Scots a surprise lead, Billy Liddell missing a late penalty. A much more respectable pair of results against the famous Aranycsapat than England’s 6-3 and 7-1 maulings, but it’s probably best not to thumb the nose too much, because in between those two matches with Hungary, Scotland were skittered 7-2 by England at Wembley, which if nothing else proves that comparing results in the playground style is a fool’s errand.
Hungary have two more wins against the Scots, in friendlies 1980 and 2004, while Scotland have three victories of their own. The first came in the very first meeting – a 3-1 friendly win in 1938 – and the third in the most recent, a 1-0 win in 2018 secured by Matt Phillips. The second is the most notable, though: a 2-0 home victory in 1987, both goals scored by Ally McCoist, in a match that marked the debut of Chelsea’s fancy new defensive signing from St Mirren, a certain Steve Clarke.
All of which is an extremely long-winded way of saying that this is the first competitive meeting between these two grand old international teams. (Oh, and Preston were one of the best sides in England in the mid-50s, while Clyde were about to win a couple of Scottish Cups, so perhaps those results against Puskas and the lads weren’t so eye-opening after all.)
Scotland captain John McGinn, slightly heavy-lidded but highly amused, speaks to the BBC. “We’ve been trying to prepare the same way we do for every game … but it’s not every game you have thousands of Scotland supporters outside your hotel! … so the afternoon nap was cancelled and we had the Scotland songbook in our ears! … but it was nice that the excitement was grown in anticipation … I think you can hear the tunes in the dressing room, the boys are calm and ready to go … we’re ready … we’re more prepared than three years ago [at Euro 2020] … more experience, more caps … ready for that pressure and responsibility … we can be that team … the manager’s a man of few words, but when he speaks … he did a really good team talk in the hotel … we want to give [fans] more memories and hopefully tonight is another special one.”
Scotland make one change to the XI that started the 1-1 draw with Switzerland. Kieran Tierney is hamstrung, so Scott McKenna takes his place on the left-hand side of the three-man central defence.
Hungary make two changes to their starting line-up after their 2-0 defeat by Germany. Endre Botka comes into the right-hand side of defence, while Bury-born Callum Styles is named in midfield. Attila Fiola and Ádám Nagy drop to the bench. The captain Dominik Szoboszlai has shrugged off injury concerns and is good to play.
The teams
Scotland: Gunn, Hendry, Hanley, McKenna, Ralston, Gilmour, McGregor, Robertson, McTominay, Adams, McGinn.
Subs: Shankland, Christie, Kelly, Cooper, Armstrong, Morgan, Conway, Jack, Clark, McCrorie, McLean, Taylor, Forrest.
Hungary: Gulacsi, Botka, Orban, Dardai, Bolla, Schafer, Styles, Kerkez, Sallai, Szoboszlai, Varga.
Subs: Lang, Balogh, Szalai, Fiola, Nego, Adam Nagy, Adam, Dibusz, Kleinheisler, Gazdag, Zsolt Nagy, Szappanos, Csoboth, Horvath, Kata.
Referee: Facundo Tello Figueroa (Argentina).
Preamble
For a country of Scotland’s size, the complete list of their major tournament qualifications is lengthy and proud. Championnat du Monde de Football Suisse 1954. VM Fotboll Sverige 1958. WM 74. Argentina ‘78. España 82. México ‘86. Italia ‘90. Uefa 92. Euro 96. France 98. Euro 2020(1). Sadly the complete list of the times they’ve failed to get out of the group is exactly the same length and not so much a badge of honour. Championnat du Monde de Football Suisse 1954. VM Fotboll Sverige 1958. WM 74. Argentina… but let’s not belabour the point. We all know what’s what.
But tonight in Stuttgart, Scotland have the chance to finally shake that monkey off their back. A win over Hungary would all but guarantee a place in the knockout stage of a tournament at last, at the 12th time of asking. Only a series of freakish results in the other groups could deny them, though fate has done a number on Scotland many times before, so nobody with even the most basic understanding of superstition will be counting their chickens. But, y’know, a win should do it.
A draw might even be enough. Two points would see the Scots through if Spain, Italy, Portugal and Turkey win their games against Croatia, Albania, Georgia and Czechia respectively. (Those results would leave the third-placed teams in Groups B and F on one point.) England beating Slovenia by a five-goal margin and Denmark defeating Serbia in Group C may also become a requirement should one of the Spain/Italy, Portugal/Turkey capers not go Scotland’s way, but we’re deep into the long grass of nonsense probability now. Best to keep things simple and win.
Defeat, and Scotland are out, sent homewards to think again. The wait will go on. It’s got to happen some day, though, so why not now? Good luck, everyone, may the best team win. Kick-off is at 8pm. It’s on!
