Scotland v Hungary LIVE: Score and updates from crunch Euro 2024 decider plus Germany v Switzerland

“We know what the stakes are. We have to win. But we have to win with caution.”

A clear message from Clarke ahead of kick-off – and now it’s a mighty rendition of Flower of Scotland!

Belted out from all parts of the stadium.

A huge night in store – kick-off is next!

National anthems time, with Hungary first.

Steve Clarke has been addressing the media ahead of the match and is keeping a level head, saying it’s about winning “with caution” tonight – and he totally rejected the possibility that a draw might be enough for Scotland, with two points “never enough” to reach the knockouts, he says.

This time, it’s history. Euro 2024 began with Graeme Souness, lambasting the lack of quality in a Scotland side found to be out of its depth. Scotland may end Euro 2024 having achieved what Souness and the golden generation led by himself and Kenny Dalglish could not, by reaching the knockout stages of an international tournament for the first time. Before a ball was kicked, Scotland and manager Steve Clarke would have gladly accepted the position they find themselves in now: beat Hungary in Stuttgart on Sunday night and they will reach the magic four-point mark that should be enough to go through to the last-16.

If the group stages of the 24-team Euros come to showcase a class divide between the haves and the have-nots — as pre-tournament favourites France and England go through the motions while a range of nations less accustomed to the big stage, from Slovakia and Romania to Turkey and Albania, provide the colour by seizing their opportunity — Scotland’s players have a chance to write themselves into legend with a single win. That has been the goal since arriving in Germany almost two weeks ago.

Clarke had been clear in his ambition, which helped Scotland recover from such a disastrous start in Munich. Four points was always the aim and Scotland knew a win and draw against Switzerland and Hungary, no matter the order, would likely be enough to progress into the last 16. Within that, anything gained from the opening night against hosts Germany would have been a bonus. Scotland failed to even remotely threaten the possibility of an upset and emerged with a sorry thrashing, but under huge pressure responded against Switzerland to remain alive in the group.

Reminder of the results so far in Group A:

And that leaves the standings thus ahead of kick-off:

1. Germany 6pts
2. Switzerland 4pts
3. Scotland 1pt
4. Hungary 0pts

Euro 2024 arrives at the final round of the group stage to decide who will go through to the knockouts. As well as the top two teams in each of the six groups, the four best third-placed teams will also progress to make up the last-16, with the remaining eight nations cut from the tournament.

Up first is Group A, as Scotland attempt to claim a place in the knockout stages of an international tournament for the first time in their history against Hungary. Scotland were thrashed by Germany in their opening game before bouncing back against Switzerland, with a victory over Hungary in Stuttgart needed to be sure of qualification – although an anxious wait may be required even if Steve Clarke’s side do pick up a crucial three points.

What do Scotland need to go through tonight?

At this point, it’s worth a look back at Scotland’s second game. We know the opener was disappointing and damaging, but steps forward were taken against Switzerland.

Billy Gilmour’s inclusion was a key part of that, the midfielder central to everything positive the Scots did – can he drive them on again even further tonight? Here’s a reminder of his impact four days back.

No Kieran Tierney tonight, of course, and likely not for any further Euro 2024 involvement – even if Scotland do indeed prolong their stay in Germany beyond tonight.

For that to be the case, you feel they need to be near-perfect at both ends of the pitch.

European soccer’s governing body UEFA suspended Albania forward Mirlind Daku for two games on Sunday after he led Albanian fans in a round of offensive chants about Serbia and North Macedonia at Euro 2024.

Rows are proliferating at the tournament over insults relating to longstanding political and ethnic tensions in the Balkans region.

Daku has apologised for joining in the chanting of slogans against the two countries with a megaphone after his side’s 2-2 draw with Croatia on Wednesday in Hamburg.

UEFA said his actions violated the rules of decent conduct and brought football into disrepute.

Kosovo-born Daku, who represented his homeland before switching to Albania in 2023, will miss Albania’s final Group B game against Spain on Monday in Duesseldorf, with a spot in the last 16 still within reach. Albania are in third in the group on one point.

Albania’s football federation in a statement issued an “appeal to all Albanian fans to be more responsible and avoid the creation of these totally avoidable incidents and riots”.

UEFA fined Albania 47,500 euros on three different charges, including transmitting provocative messages not fit for a sports event.

Croatia are facing a 28,000 euro fine for the lighting and throwing of fireworks by their fans.

UEFA said it was still investigating potential racist and/or discriminatory conduct by fans at the match.

Serbia had threatened to withdraw from the tournament over the chanting by Croatia and Albania fans at their match.

Part of the controversy centres on Albanian-majority Kosovo, whose independence Serbia does not accept, while the Western Balkans is also riven by a web of historical grievances and trauma after wars following the breakup of the former Yugoslavia.

Last week UEFA cancelled the media credentials of Kosovar journalist Arlind Sadiku after complaints about a Albanian nationalist gesture he made towards Serbia fans during their game against England on Sunday in Gelsenkirchen.