Sports
Alan Shearer and Ian Wright in total agreement over Scotland penalty call
Scotland loudly appealed for a penalty during their Euro 2024 group decider against Hungary in Stuttgart after Stuart Armstrong was seemingly hauled down by Willi Orban
Alan Shearer and Ian Wright were convinced that Scotland should have been awarded a penalty as their Euro 2024 hopes ended in heartbreak.
Southampton playmaker Stuart Armstrong looked set to run free and fire at the Hungarian goal in the second-half. Before he could do that, he was taken down by Willi Orban.
The Scotland team – and bench – loudly appealed for a penalty but the referee was unmoved. The VAR then surprisingly opted not to intervene.
Former England strikers Shearer and Wright shared their complaints on social media. Taking to Twitter, Arsenal icon Wright wrote: “Surely that’s a penalty!!!”
Shearer was also in no doubt that Steve Clarke’s side were deserving of a spot kick. Replying to Wright’s original tweet, he wrote: “Totally agree”
Shearer also shared his thoughts in the post-match analysis. He added: “I thought the referee gave a terrible decision when Scotland should have had a penalty. It was a penalty all day.
“Clear penalty for me. The assistant to the right had a great view of it. It was one of the occasions where Scotland penetrated the defence of Hungary.
“It’s a terrible challenge from Orban, he gets all caught up. He takes him out. His right knee onto his left calf. Clearly, that for me was a clear, clear penalty.”
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It wasn’t just Wright and Shearer convinced that a penalty should have been awarded. Former Scotland star James McFadden also made his complaints known.
Speaking on co-commentary on the BBC, he said: “It’s a great run as well from McTominay driving. Stuart Armstrong puts his body in front, Orban goes through the back of him.
“It’s clumsy. Of course, you’re going to think I’m going to say it’s a penalty for Scotland. But I can’t believe the referee hasn’t given that on-field at the time.”
The decision proved decisive for Scotland and their Euro 2024 hopes. Hungary scored a winner in the 10th minute of stoppage time as Kevin Csoboth rounded off a lethal counter-attack. The goal meant that Scotland were eliminated and Hungary finished third in Group A.
They now face a nervous wait to find out if they will progress as one one of the best performing third-placed teams with three points. Germany eventually won Group A thanks to Niclas Fullkrug’s late equaliser against Switzerland.
While there were Hungarian celebrations in Stuttgart, there was concern for striker Barnabas Varga. He was involved in a sickening collision with Scotland goalkeeper Angus Gunn.
The forward received lengthy treatment on the pitch with screens put up by the medical staff. Varga was eventually stretchered off to warm applause around the stadium. The Hungarian FA confirmed he was in a stable condition having been rushed to hospital.
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