Alan Shearer believes Scotland were denied a stonewall penalty before their hopes of reaching the Euro 2024 knockout stages were shattered in the dying seconds by Hungary.

Kevin Csoboth’s breakaway goal with virtually the last kick of the match saw Hungary secure a 1-0 victory, finishing third in Group A with three points. Meanwhile, the Scots were eliminated, continuing their long wait to advance beyond the group stages of either the Euros or the World Cup.

The game might have taken a different turn if a controversial decision had gone Scotland’s way in the 79th minute. There were loud appeals for a penalty when Stuart Armstrong went down in the box under a challenge from behind by Willi Orban. The referee waved play on, but replays showed significant contact from the Hungarian defender on the Southampton player.

VAR did not intervene, a decision Shearer found baffling. Speaking on BBC One after the game, he said: “I thought the referee gave a terrible decision when Scotland should have had a penalty. For me it was a penalty all day.” He added, “Clear penalty for me. I think the assistant had a great view. It’s a terrible challenge. He gets caught and takes him out. His right knee on to his calf. Clearly. That for me is a clear, clear penalty. I think that is a clear and obvious error. Clearly he’s taken him down.”

Scottish manager David Moyes, sitting next to the Newcastle icon in the studio, agreed with Shearer’s assessment. “I think that’s a penalty kick as well,” he said. “That’s a reckless challenge from the defender. We were all shouting here that VAR will at least check that.”

While Hungary’s fate now depends on other group results over the next three days to see if they qualify as one of the best third-placed teams, Marco Rossi’s side will relish their dramatic victory that revived their hopes just as they seemed on the brink of elimination.

The match itself was a scrappy affair, with neither team able to exert control despite both being desperate for a win to prolong their stay in Germany. Steve Clarke’s Scotland dominated possession in the opening 25 minutes but failed to create any clear-cut chances. In fact, they had no shots at all in the first half despite enjoying 61% of the ball and ended the match without a single shot on target.

The Scots’ inability to convert possession into meaningful opportunities ultimately cost them dearly, leaving fans and pundits alike to wonder what might have been had the penalty decision gone their way.

As it stands, Scotland’s Euro 2024 journey ends in frustration and disappointment, while Hungary must wait and hope for a favourable outcome in the remaining group stage matches.