Weekend Review: Scotland starved of success after Hungary hit last-gasp winner

Scotland (5/4) were eliminated from Euro 2024 on Sunday night following a heartbreaking 1-0 defeat thanks to a 100^th minute goal from Hungary’s (7/4) Kevin Csoboth.

The Scots needed a win to stand any realistic chance of progressing to the knockouts of a major international competition for the first time, with the competition structure allowing them to go through as one of the best third-placed teams in the group stage.

Conversely, a draw would have required a host of results going their way for them to qualify from Group A.

In a tense match for Steve Clarke’s side, Scotland thought they had won a penalty when Stuart Armstrong was seemingly clipped in the area when through on goal, but Argentine referee Facundo Tello failed to give the spot kick or consult VAR.

Ten minutes were added to the end of the game after a horrible collision between Scotland goalkeeper Angus Gunn and Hungary striker Barnabas Varga left the forward with a reported fractured cheekbone.

And, when Grant Hanley saw his shot inside the box saved with minutes remaining, Hungary ended all Scottish dreams when Csoboth found the back of the net with seconds remaining.

Now England (7/20), the only other Home Nation to qualify for Euro 2024, are all but guaranteed a place in the next round. They will face Slovenia on Tuesday and look to find some form before the business end of the tournament gets underway.

Gareth Southgate’s side are no longer favourites at 9/2, with hosts Germany and France leading the way at 4/1.

Betfred’s Alan Firkins commented on how Scotland’s elimination will have an impact on turnover from the tournament.

He said: “Such a pity that Scotland couldn’t make history and progress from Group A on Sunday, after losing to Hungary courtesy of a breakaway goal in the 100th minute.

“How on earth the Scots didn’t win a late penalty kick is a mystery Agatha Christie would struggle to fathom, and of course their amazing supporters will also be missed. Hard-nosed business instincts will note that it’s also unfortunate concerning the additional turnover Scottish participation would have generated, but they went out on their shields, heads held high.”

Recent results have seen bookies triumph after punters got off to a quick start due to favourites winning their games over the opening few days.

With a handful of group games left, bet365’s Steve Feeth said the operator is currently in front and had its “best” day last Monday after Ukraine and Belgium failed to win.

Freeth said: “Punters had been well on top in the early stages of the Euros, but we’ve hit back with a number of favourable results and we’ve started the final group game stage in similar fashion thanks to Group A finishing with two low-scoring games.

“There’s still plenty of football left in this tournament and a lot can change, but we’re marginally in front at this stage of proceedings.

“Last Monday has been our best day with the well-fancied pair of Ukraine and Belgium both losing and France winning with an own goal which gave us a huge lift.”

The tournament’s first 0-0, France (2/1) versus Netherlands (3/2) last Friday, was also a positive result for the bookies with LiveScore Group’s head of trading, Francisco Cano, noting the bore draw subverted punters’ expectations.

He added that England’s (4/1) 1-1 draw with Denmark (3/4) 24 hours earlier was also the firm’s most popular match and generated high turnover.

Cano said: “The most popular match was just prior to the weekend [was] England versus Denmark, which generated very impressive turnover figures.

“The margin was even more impressive considering that England failed to win, with the game ending in a 1-1 draw. Similar to the Denmark and England match, Netherlands versus France saw a high turnover and margin. Given the amount of top players on both teams, everyone anticipated a high-scoring affair.”

The French and Dutch also benefitted Betway, as did the stalemates between Georgia (7/2) and Czechia (3/4) and likewise Peru (3/1) versus Chile (1/1) in the Copa America on Saturday.

Betway spokesman Mike Reading said: “Major international tournament results over the weekend yielded a stellar weekend for the books. Friday’s standout was a 0-0 draw between the Netherlands and France, defying heavy support seen for both sides.

“Saturday saw Portugal and Belgium victories in the Euros cut into margins, but an unexpected Georgia-Czechia draw and a 0-0 Peru-Chile result in Copa América both brought positive returns.”

Reading noted that punters are still putting money on England despite the team’s lacklustre performances in their opening two fixtures.

Reading added: “In the Euro outright market, despite England’s heavily criticised opening performances we are still seeing plenty of support for Southgate’s men to win the competition.  France, Germany and Portugal are also being well-backed and shortening in that market.

“Reigning Euros champions Italy are currently sitting at 20/1 to be back-to-back winners, and many punters sensing value in that price are backing the Azzurri to go all the way.”

Meanwhile, bet365’s daily Super Boost has seen plenty of action from players, as has the firm’s bet builder offering, according to Freeth.

After failing to register a shot on target in England’s opening game, Harry Kane managed to get on the scoresheet in the next outing which cost the firm a lot of money after he was priced at Evens after starting at 2/5.

Freeth said: “Super Boost backers have collected seven times so far this tournament – our most expensive being Harry Kane’s shot on target against Denmark, as we continue to offer one on each matchday.

“Rather surprisingly, we had plenty of bet builder joy in Portugal’s 3-0 victory over Turkey, but gave it back with interest on the final game on Saturday night.

“All the big names had at least one shot on target – Romelu Lukaku with three, Jeremy Doku and Youri Tielemans with one each and Kevin de Bruyne hitting the target twice, including the game clinching goal late in the match [against Romania].”

Elsewhere, outside of the football, Betfred’s Firkins lifted the curtain on the Warrington-based firm’s performance across Royal Ascot last week.

Ryan Moore rode Bedtime Story (11/8) to victory in the Chesham Stakes on Saturday, following on from his victory 24 hours earlier with Fairy Godmother (15/8) in the Albany Stakes on the Friday.

Moore’s ride on Bedtime Story, which finished nine-and-a-half lengths ahead of Pentle Bay in second, was the sixth win of the week for the jockey and trainer Aidan O’Brien.

Those wins did cost the operator but favourable results elsewhere allowed the firm to end the weekend with a few wins of their own.

Khadeem (14/1) landed the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes for the second consecutive year while Isle of Jura (16/1) took the Hardwicke Stakes.

Firkins said: “As official bookmaker at Royal Ascot we have even more reason to welcome the glorious annual pageant, and the 2024 vintage was spectacular.

“Loads of offers, extra places and pushed prices meant honours were just about even over the week, with Ryan Moore and Aidan O’Brien in majestic form, costing us plenty.

“Every hotpot didn’t oblige though, and some of the smaller yards had their moment, quite literally, in the sun,” he added.