Scotland can qualify for Euro 2024 knockouts with draw vs Hungary – explained

Scotland head into tonight’s meeting with Hungary targeting the win that would almost certainly carry them into the knockout stages of Euro 2024.

But there is also the possibility that just a draw would be enough and, amazingly, send Steve Clarke’s men into the last 16 with just two points. The point picked up against Switzerland repaired some of the damage done by crumbling under the German assault and also gave us a chance of progressing.

But at that stage it looked more like, for that to happen, a victory would be required on match day three to either overhaul the Swiss in second or go through as one of the better third placed teams. The way things have worked out in other groups, however, means that may not be the case and a draw could be enough.

How can Scotland qualify for Euro 2024 with draw against Hungary?

As mentioned, Scotland can come second with a win over Hungary if the Swiss lose to the Germans with a six-goal swing made up. Seems unlikely, but having four points in third would more than likely be enough. No team has EVER gone out with that amount under the current format, but we would still have to wait for results elsewhere to be sure.

A draw might also do the trick depending on how results go in other groups. Spain and Italy would both be expected to beat Croatia and Albania and that would mean third place in that group would only have one point.

England could help us out if they were to beat Slovenia 4-0 or more and Denmark and Serbia drew the other game 0-0, as that would mean the Danes were third on two points and a goal difference of -4, the same as Scotland but with fewer goals scored.

That would leave us as the fourth best third placed team despite having just two points.