Liverpool International Round Up: Robertson and Szoboszlai Both Off to Bad Starts

Liverpool International Round Up: Robertson and Szoboszlai Both Off to Bad Starts

Not the start either of them would have hoped for. Andy Robertson, captaining Scotland, and fellow Reds’ teammate Dominik Szoboszlai, the Hungarian skipper, both suffered defeat in the opening two matches of Euro 2024.

Scotland and Hungary are both in Group A, which meant that they kick off the month long event. Scotland had the dubious honor of taking on hosts Germany on opening day. Despite Robertson’s hopes before the match, Scotland suffered a 5-1 defeat to start their group stage campaign.

The nail in the coffin came at just about halftime when defender Ryan Porteous was sent off for a studs up challenge on Ilkay Gündogan. Scotland were already behind 2-0, but Kai Havertz converted the penalty, putting them three up and Scotland one man down by the time the referee blew the whistle. Two more goals after the break sealed their fate, and not even a late own goal by Antonio Rüdiger could save the night for them.

Meanwhile, in the first Saturday game, Hungary and Switzerland finished off the first round of Group A. While Hungary didn’t receive the beating dished out to Scotland, they did fall 3-1 to the Swiss.

Szoboszlai played all 90 minutes and even grabbed the assist on his team’s only goal of the night. His low cross led to a header from Barnabás Varga in the 66th minute when they were trailing 2-0. Despite trying to find the equalizer in the final 20 minutes, it was Switzerland who sealed the game in extra time with a crucial third goal.

At the end of round one, the standings have Germany in first, following by Switzerland, Hungary, and finally Scotland.