What Scotland need in final group game to reach Euro 2024 last 16 as Tartan Army looks to make history

Scotland still have hopes of reaching the last 16 of the European Championship for the first time.

The Tartan Army failed to beat Switzerland in their second match in Group A as they were held to a 1-1 draw last time out.

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However, the battle point remained crucial to their chances of progression, giving them the opportunity to get the job done against Hungary, live on talkSPORT.

A win in this match is vital otherwise Steve Clarke’s side look set to head home…

Scotland’s permutations for Euro 2024

The top two teams from each group will automatically qualify for the round of 16, with the top four third-placed teams also qualifying for the round of 16.

After the draw against Switzerland, Scotland now have to beat Hungary and hope Switzerland lose to Germany to finish in the top two.

On top of that, they will also need a six-goal swing in their favor, which is unlikely.

The chances of guaranteed qualification are therefore very slim, but there would still be a hope of being among the four best third-placed teams.

Once again, a victory against Hungary is the most sought after result as it would give them four points.

And four points will most likely be enough to qualify, depending on the total of the third-placed teams in the other groups.

A draw against Hungary might still be enough, but it would require a lot of luck, as many other teams would still need to play and fail to win any of their matches.

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As things stand, Scotland are not among the four third-placed teams expected to qualify, but a win would do it.

If the Tartan Army find themselves tied on points with other teams in third and they have to be split, then it will come down to goal difference and that’s not ideal.

They currently sit at -4 and if that doesn’t improve it could affect them massively if it comes down to that.

If this is also the case, then goals scored, wins, disciplinary points and qualifying ranking are all taken into account in that order.

Scotland have never reached the knockout stages of a European Championship and they are desperate to change that.

And now they know that one win will likely get them there.