Euro2020

Szoboszlai: We want to leave the pitch as winners – EURO 2020 play-off final

szoboszlai dominik hungary midfielder

Dominik Szoboszlai has finally arrived at Hungary’s national-team training centre after a dramatic few days and is now ready to play the biggest game of his career so far.

“We are already in Vienna and tomorrow we will play a match against Rapid, after which I will arrive in Hungary tomorrow,” Dominik Szoboszlai told MLSZ TV’s Instagram account. Well, that was the plan, but a raft of positive COVID test results on Sunday had left the Salzburg playmaker’s participation in Thursday’s crucial EURO 2020 play-off final against Iceland in severe doubt. Thankfully though, Szoboszlai, who tested negative at the weekend, produced the same result again in the last 24 hours and was thus able to travel to Hungary ahead of his country’s much-anticipated fixture in two days’ time”.

Understandably, the young midfielder’s interview with MLSZ very much focused on the national team:

“I watched the October matches alone at home and was terribly excited by all three matches, particularly the one against Bulgaria. Thankfully, we didn’t lose any of them, which is a pretty strong return. Now we have to focus on the Iceland match, which will then be followed by the Nations League matches. Unfortunately, I was unable to join the national squad in October, but I’e said several times since that the match of my life so far will be the one against Iceland, even bearing in mind the games I’ve played against big teams in the Champions League”.

Szoboszlai went on to discuss his current form and his aims in football:

“I started the season the way I’d left off. I’m fine, I hope I’ll be in perfect condition for the national team (on Thursday) and that I can help the team. A footballer can always develop in every way and no one is ever perfect. I think you can improve in every area and you can show something new in every match – something they haven’t seen from you yet, so this is what I mean when I say I need to improve. After all, for example, sometimes my heading during challenges is not perfect and sometimes my shooting is inconsistent”.

Perhaps inevitably, the conversation drew to a conclusion with mention of next year’s European Championship which will be partly hosted in Budapest:

“There’s one more match to go before we can qualify for the European Championships. So far, there have been lots of times when there’s only been one step left or just one step missing. I don’t want this to happen now. Let’s go out on the pitch and show what we can do. Let’s fight for each other as we have fought in matches so far. We need to work as a team and then we will be able to battle against Iceland too. Everyone in the national team has a good relationship with each other – we understand each other on the pitch and everyone knows their job. We have a team captain who assigns the tasks, but he also does his job. We assess our opponents and see what their weak points are, so the point is then to apply it in the game and leave the pitch having achieved success”.

Hungary take on Iceland behind closed doors in the Puskás Aréna in Budapest at 20:45 CET on Thursday 12th November 2020.

fifa rankings hungary
Read alsoFIFA rankings: Hungary men leap five places

UEFA commented on the possibility of holding Euro 2020 in Russia

puskás football Hungarian team

The UEFA press service, in response to a request Metaratings.ru, commented on the information of Le Parisien that Euro 2020 could be held in one country next summer, and Russia is the main contender for the event.

At the moment, there are no changes regarding what President Aleksander Čeferin spoke about in mid-October.

Now UEFA plans to hold Euro 2020 in exactly the format that was originally planned. We do not have a plan “B” at the moment. We are closely monitoring the situation and waiting.

However, despite this, we do not exclude the option in which Euro 2020 can be held not in 12 countries, but in 11. Or in eight, or in five, or even in one. President Čeferin has already said this earlier, – the UEFA press service said.

Initially the tournament was to be held in 12 cities of Europe, including in St. Petersburg.

In addition to St. Petersburg, Euro 2020 matches are planned to be held in London, Munchen, Baku, Rome, Bucharest, Dublin, Copenhagen, Bilbao, Glasgow, Budapest and Amsterdam. 

However, due to the coronavirus pandemic, the tournament was postponed to 2021. It is expected to be held from June 11 to July 11.

Puskás Arena, football, Budapest, Hungary
Read alsoEuro 2020 postponed until 2021 due to coronavirus – UEFA

Euro 2020 postponed until 2021 due to coronavirus – UEFA

Puskás Arena, football, Budapest, Hungary

There will be no Euro 2020, but it will be replaced by Euro 2021.

UEFA confirmed on Tuesday that the European Championship scheduled to take place in June and July this year, will be postponed until 2021 over the concerns of the rapid spreading of COVID-19. The proposed new dates for the 24-team tournament are June 11 to July 11, 2021.

The decision came after a video conference held by UEFA, involving representatives of its 55 member associations, together with the boards of the European Club Association and the European Leagues and a representative of FIFPro.

“UEFA today announced the postponement of its flagship national team competition, UEFA Euro 2020, due to be played in June and July this year. The health of all those involved in the game is the priority, as well as to avoid placing any unnecessary pressure on national public services involved in staging matches. The move will help all domestic competitions, currently on hold due to the COVID-19 emergency, to be completed,” the governing body of European football said in a statement.

The outbreak of COVID-19 has brought huge blows to world sports including football in Europe, as all UEFA competitions and matches (including friendlies) for clubs and national teams for both men and women have been put on hold until further notice.
The Euro 2020 play-off matches and international friendlies, scheduled for the end of March, will now be played in the international window at the start of June, subject to a review of the situation, the UEFA said.

“We are at the helm of a sport that vast numbers of people live and breathe that has been laid low by this invisible and fast-moving opponent. It is at times like these, that the football community needs to show responsibility, unity, solidarity and altruism,” UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin said when announcing the decision.

“The health of fans, staff and players has to be our number one priority and in that spirit, UEFA tabled a range of options so that competitions can finish this season safely,” Ceferin said.

“Moving Euro 2020 comes at a huge cost for UEFA, but we will do our best to ensure that the vital funding for grassroots, women’s football and the development of the game in our 55 countries (and regions) is not affected.”

EURO 2020 – Cristiano Ronaldo’s headquarters will be in Budapest, Hungary! – Video

Cristiano Ronaldo

EURO 2020 will be organised in 13 big European cities. Among them, Budapest is going to host the matches of Group F together with Munich, as well as a match in the round of 16. Cristiano Ronaldo and the European Championship titleholding Portuguese team will live on Margaret Island, Budapest.

According to Nemzeti Sport, the team’s headquarters will be in Hungary during the group stage of the European Championships, but there is a good chance that they will remain there even after that. Portugal is going to play two matches in the Hungarian capital, and that is why they have already checked some sports facilities in Hungary to find where they can prepare for the matches. Based on the information of the Hungarian sports daily, they will set up their headquarters in Herceghalom, not far from Budapest.

Cristiano Ronaldo goes mad after Hungarian goal in EURO 2016:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OX_5p5ENKFo

To find a suitable place for preparation is vital. For example, the German team will play all of their group matches in Germany. In 2014, when they won the world championships in Brazil, they established their headquarters there because they did not like any that the Brazilian association offered them. In the case of the Portuguese team, the location of the headquarters is very important since Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the world’s most popular players.

At first, the Portuguese team wanted to go to Telki, but that is kept for the play-off winner of the qualification tournament, which can even be the Hungarian team. Portuguese experts had a look at other options, but finally, according to the communication director of the Portuguese football association, Antonio Magalhaes, they chose Budapest.

In that case, they will live in the Grand Hotel on Margaret Island where the legendary Hungarian Golden Team prepared in the 1950s. Furthermore, they will use the sports facilities of Vasas that can be reached quickly from there.

If Cristiano Ronaldo’s team will be able to qualify from Group F where they are together with the 2014 world cup-winning Germany and the 2018 world cup-winning France, they can remain in the Hungarian capital because it is in a central position in Europe, so they can easily reach the venue of the round of 16 match.

For example, the French team remains at home, in Clairefontaine, even though they had a look at some Hungarian facilities. However, they do not exclude the possibility that before their matches in Budapest, they will spend some nights in the Hungarian capital.

Euro2020: Wales prove too much for Hungary in Cardiff

Wales-Hungary-cardiff

A goal in each half from Aaron Ramsay dashed Hungary’s hopes of UEFA Euro 2020 qualification direct from their group, but there still remains a chance of reaching next year’s showpiece tournament via the Nations’ League play-offs in March.

The Juventus midfielder’s 15th-minute header from Gareth Bale’s left-wing cross saw Marco Rossi’s team fall behind early on and then spurn several first-half chances to equalise before Ramsay put the destination of the three points beyond doubt with a composed strike in the opening moments of the second half.

Hungary head coach Marco Rossi went with his expected lineup, Péter Gulácsi taking his place in goal behind a back four of Zsolt Nagy, Ádám Lang, Botond Baráth and Gergő Lovrencsics at right-back. Both first-choice central midfielders, Máté Pátkai and Ádám Nagy, were fit enough to start after recent absences with the more attacking trio of Roland Sallai, Dominik Szoboszlai and Balázs Dzsudzsák hoping to supply plenty of support to lone striker Ádám Szalai.

Both captains, Gareth Bale and Balázs Dzsudzsák – the latter on the occasion of his 108th cap which draws the winger level with Hungarian record-holder Gábor Király – had early shots, Bale’s gathered easily by Gulácsi after Dzsudzsák’s had sailed wide.

The game’s first key moment wasn’t far away though, Connor Roberts sliding the ball out to Bale on the right in the 15th minute and his left-footed cross into the six-yard box after cutting away from the byline proving perfect for Aaron Ramsay to head unchallenged into the Hungary net from close range.

Wales looked lethal on the counter-attack but Hungary were actually shading the percentage of possession and started to convert this into goalscoring chances. Baráth headed Dzsudzsák’s free-kick over the bar in the 27th minute and soon after, Szoboszlai had a penalty claim turned down before Wales countered swiftly, Bale again crossing from the right wing – this time with his right foot – but this time the ball was headed wide of the far, right post by Kieffer Moore.

Hungary then spurned two fabulous chances to level the scores, Szalai’s knockback after Lovrencsics’ incisive ball forward finding Szoboszlai in space ten metres from goal, but Hennessey dived to his right to block his bouncing shot and then gathered Sallai’s effort on the rebound when a goal seemed certain.

Clearly the next goal was going to be hugely important and unfortunately it went the way of Ryan Giggs’ side just two minutes into the second half.

A left-wing free-kick from Ben Davies was volleyed down by Moore to Ramsey who had ghosted in at the back post and he applied a simple finish to double the home team’s advantage. Five minutes later, Bale’s left-footed free-kick flew inches over the crossbar and midway through the half, Daniel James unleased a wickedly curling right-footed effort from the left side of the penalty area which just failed to find the far, top-right corner of Gulácsi’s goal.

István Kovács and Roland Varga came on for Ádám Nagy and Dzudzsák as Rossi sought to inject fresh impetus into his side’s search for victory, but the threat from the hosts was severe and constant. Gulácsi denied Ramsay a hat-trick in the 75th minute when he stuck out his left leg to kick away the Juventus midfielder’s low shot after James’ foray to the left byline. Then, in the 82th minute, Chris Mepham headed the ball inexplicably wide from seven metres after Ben Davies’s found him free in front of goal.

Substitute Harry Wilson’s late, long-range drive was easily dealt with by Gulácsi but there was no doubt about which had been the better team on the day, Wales easing to a 2-0 win which means it is they who qualify with Croatia from this group for UEFA Euro 2020 next summer. Hungary, meanwhile, will have to pick themselves up in time for March’s Nations’ League play-offs, which represent their last chance to qualify for Europe’s premier national-team competition.

UEFA president to attend official opening of Puskás Aréna

uefa head in bp

UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin will attend Hungary’s first match at their new Puskás Aréna on Friday, while also underlining UEFA’s commitment to helping develop football at all levels in the country.

15 November will be a momentous occasion for Hungarian football, with the official opening of the Puskás Aréna in Budapest. The stadium, named in honour of the greatest player the country has ever produced, will see Hungary take on Uruguay in a friendly – a repeat of the 1954 FIFA World Cup semi-final which the ‘Mighty Magyars’ won 4–2.

The Puskás Aréna, set to host four matches at UEFA EURO 2020 next summer, has a capacity of close to 68,000 and tickets for Friday’s visit of Uruguay were snapped up in a matter of days.

UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin will be one of the guests of honour for the official inauguration and he is delighted that Budapest now has a stadium that will be one of the finest in Europe.

„I would like to pay tribute to the Hungarian Football Federation and in particular Sándor Csányi, the president, for overseeing the completion of what will be the jewel in Hungarian football’s crown for decades to come,” Čeferin said.

„It is fitting that such a magnificent stadium is named after Ferenc Puskás. He was a player before his time, a player who had such outstanding vision and leadership qualities. I never had the opportunity to watch him play live, but his feats in helping Hungary to beat England in 1953 and his four goals for Real Madrid in their 7–3 victory in the [1960] European Cup final against Eintracht Frankfurt have been and will continue to be etched in the memories of football fans for generations.”

The completion of the Puskás Aréna shows a commitment from the Hungarian Football Federation (MLSZ) to improving the country’s footballing infrastructure by building new stadiums. Earlier this year, the recently constructed Ferencváros Stadium staged the UEFA Women’s Champions League final, while Honvéd, who are also from the Hungarian capital, are planning a new arena too.

Some of these stadiums will be put to use when Hungary co-hosts the 2021 UEFA European Under-21 Championship with Slovenia.

„I am very proud that Budapest and Hungary now has one of the most beautiful and modern football stadiums of the continent. The international matches of the Hungarian national team and the top European club matches will give great inspiration for the next generation of football players,” said MLSZ president Sándor Csányi.

„Fans from Hungary and across Europe will be able to watch matches at the Puskás Aréna next summer; however, it is our aim that in the future, we would like this magnificent stadium to host other major sport events here. I’d like to express my gratitude for UEFA for supporting us throughout the planning phase and for giving us relevant information and experience during the recent years.”

How UEFA supports Hungarian football

Improving infrastructure does not just mean building new stadiums – it is also necessary to invest in the footballers of tomorrow. With this in mind, the MLSZ has been working closely with UEFA to ensure that youngsters have as many opportunities as possible to play football.

While UEFA EURO 2020 will capture the imagination of fans around Hungary and Europe, the tournament will have another significant impact that is less obvious to supporters, with some €775.5m generated by the finals being funnelled into UEFA’s HatTrick assistance programme and consequently shared between UEFA’s 55 national associations.

The HatTrick scheme began in 2004, based on the simple idea of taking an ample proportion of UEFA European Championship revenue and reinvesting it into football development in three (hence the name) different ways: investment, education and knowledge-sharing. By 2024, HatTrick will have made available a remarkable €2.6bn in support of the member associations.

„HatTrick is a vitally important development programme, which shows that UEFA’s commitment to European football runs a lot deeper than its major club and national team competitions,” Čeferin explained. „We consider growth and development an absolute prerequisite to maintain a sustainable and highly successful level of football for everyone.”

The MLSZ used HatTrick funding to build its headquarters in Telki, which opened in 2009, with the infrastructure at the technical centre being updated since; there are also ongoing plans to build a sports hall at the site. Moreover, to give youngsters the chance to play football all year round and on excellent playing surfaces, 20 artificial pitches have been erected around Hungary thanks to HatTrick funds. The programme has also funded 80 mini-pitches at kindergartens across the country, to ensure that children have access to playing football from a young age.

Grassroots development

Getting children to play and enjoy football is a crucial part of UEFA’s vision – and the body’s new Football in Schools programme, unveiled in Slovenia in September, will take this vision an important step forward.

Over the next four years, UEFA – via HatTrick – will invest €44m in grassroots football in Europe, of which €11m will be dedicated to developing and/or improving schools football. This will be on top of the €150,000 (to rise to €200,000 for the 2020/21) that each national association can receive every year specifically for grassroots activities, in line with the UEFA Grassroots Charter. 

Among the numerous objectives of the Football in Schools initiative is the promotion of football as a social and educational tool; to increase the number of registered players by creating links between clubs and local schools; and make football activities integral to children’s physical education. The aim is also to train teachers and volunteers to provide quality football lessons, and to boost the number of coaches, in particular female coaches.

„Children are the future of our sport and it is vitally important that we give them every opportunity to play and enjoy football,” said Csányi. „We are delighted to see more and more boys and girls playing the football and we will continue to invest in grassroots development.”

To its credit, the MLSZ has been one step ahead of the game, further developing its own football in schools scheme since 2013, in conjunction with the Hungarian School Sports Federation (HSSF). The programme aims to involve 1.2 million schoolchildren – around 12.5% of the country’s total population – with the help of implementing football into the national curriculum as a school subject over the next few years.

The goal is that when the scheme reaches its conclusion, every Hungarian school will have two fully qualified teachers able to run the MLSZ grassroots programme, which will equate to roughly 7,000 teachers nationwide.

The MLSZ is committed to giving – and has taken numerous steps in this direction – youngsters as much access to playing football as possible, as well as enabling them to watch the sport in modern venues. Together with UEFA, the Hungarian football governing body will only intensify these efforts to safeguard the good health of the sport.

3 days to go! Puskás Aréna’s opening match against Uruguay – VIDEO

Puskás Aréna football stadion stadium Budapest Hungary

The Hungarian national team will play in the Puskás Aréna’s opening match against Uruguay on 15th November.

Head coach Marco Rossi: 

“The two matches before us will be special occasions for different reasons. I would have loved to have been playing our decisive qualifying match at the Puskás Aréna but unfortunately, we didn’t have a say in the matter. Uruguay are a team full of world-class players. Friday will be an historic occasion and we’d like to play our part”, said Rossi. Turning his attention to the Wales match, Rossi went on to add that:

“We’re not looking great in defence. Tamás Kádár is injured, Mihály Korhut is suspended, and I don’t have a crystal ball when it comes to knowing what shape Willi Orban’s knee will be in.

We’re down to the bare bones but I have full trust in all my players. We know Wales’ strengths and weaknesses and we’ll prepare thoroughly for them; we’ll be fine-tuning ourselves for the match”.

As regards Friday’s match, Rossi added that

although the match is also a farewell game for Zoltán Gera, given that the 97-times capped midfielder retired from the game a year ago and isn’t match-fit, they decided together that Gera would not play against Uruguay. 

Dominik Szoboszlai spoke of the huge honour it will be to play at the new Puskás Aréna, but that next week’s match against Wales is already in his mind.

“It’ll be an amazing experience to play in this stadium as a 19-year-old,” added Szoboszlai.

“You can’t describe the atmosphere of the place; you must feel it and see it for yourself. I went out onto the pitch a few minutes ago and it was an indescribable feeling even with the stands empty so it’ll be spine-tingling to play in front of a full house here. We’re primarily preparing for the Uruguay match but it’s true that the Wales match is already on our minds”, the FC Salzburg midfielder concluded.

 

Old and new faces in Hungary men’s squad to take on Uruguay and Wales

Hungary GULÁCSI Péter; ROSSI, Marco

Marco Rossi has called up uncapped defender Zsolt Nagy for Hungary’s next two matches, while Dániel Gazdag and Máté Pátkai have regained their places after recent injuries. Újpest FC are represented not only by Róbert Feczesin this time, but also by fellow forward Donát Zsótér in a squad which will prepare for the opening match of the Puskás Arena against Uruguay and the crucial UEFA 2020 European Championship qualifier away against Wales.

Hungary head coach Marco Rossi hasn’t had an easy task selecting his squad this time because influential players Ádám Nagy, Tamás Kádár and Willi Orban are not currently match fit, so contingencies have had to be made in case any of them fail fitness tests for the final Euro 2020 qualifier in Wales in just over two weeks’ time. Goalscoring hero against Azerbaijan, left-back Mihály Korhut, is suspended for that match, as is László Kleinheisler.

However, Dániel Gazdag returns to the group after his appearance for Honvéd this weekend, during which he scored a contender for goal of the round in the OTP Bank Liga. Máté Pátkai also returns, meaning two of the midfielders whom Rossi was shorn of during the last international period can now be counted upon again. In the forward line, experienced Hungarian international at youth level, Donát Zsótér, receives another chance to impress Rossi in training as the Újpest striker, also the scorer of an impressive goal in Hungary’s top tier this weekend just gone, seeks to make his debut for the full international side at the age of 23.

Several regular squad members are also missing due to injury this time, which is why potential debutants such as Zsolt Nagy have been included, the Puskás Akadémia defender having been watched by Rossi in October, at which point the Italian had said a call-up to the national squad could be possible.

“This time we’ve selected a few more players than we usually do,” Marco Rossi told mlsz.hu.

“One reason for this is that we have several players whose fitness for the matches is in doubt, while we can also only count on Korhut for the first game due to his one-match ban (in competitive fixtures). In addition, we would like to see close-up those players who could be a serious option for us in the future. Zsolt Nagy is one such example. On the left side, we’re going to be one player fewer due to Korhut’s ban anyway and in this position, I envisage a quick, physically strong defender, which perfectly describes Zsolt. It is no accident that we’ve watched him for such a long time”.

The Hungary men’s national squad:

Goalkeepers:

Dénes Dibusz (Ferencvárosi TC)
Péter Gulácsi (RB Leipzig)
Ádám Kovácsik (MOL Fehérvár FC)

Defenders:

Botond Baráth (Sporting Kansas KC)
Barnabás Bese (Le Havre)
Tamás Kádár (Dinamo Kiev)
Mihály Korhut (Aris Thessaloniki)
Ádám Lang (Omonia Nicosia)
Gergő Lovrencsics (Ferencvárosi TC)
Zsolt Nagy (Puskás Akadémia)
Bence Pávkovics (DVSC)
Willi Orban (RB Leipzig)

Midfielders:

Dániel Gazdag (Budapest Honvéd)
Dávid Holman (Slovan Bratislava)
Zsolt Kalmár (FC DAC 1904)
István Kovács (MOL Fehérvár FC)
Ádám Nagy (Bristol City)
Máté Pátkai (MOL Fehérvár FC)
Dominik Szoboszlai (RB Salzburg)
Máté Vida (FC DAC 1904)

Forwards:

Balázs Dzsudzsák (al-Ittihad)
Róbert Feczesin (Újpest FC)
Filip Holender (FC Lugano)
Dominik Nagy (Legia Warsaw)
Roland Sallai (Freiburg SC)
Ádám Szalai (Mainz)
Roland Varga (Ferencvárosi TC)
Donát Zsótér (Újpest FC)

“We have two crucial matches ahead of us,” Marco Rossi commented.

“The first will be the opening match of the new national stadium, in which we will play against one of the best teams in the world. The Uruguayan national team is made up of superstars who play for top clubs around Europe, so everyone will be watching us. It also means that it will be a huge opportunity for us to show to the world what we can do and perform the way we know we can. I don’t think I need to describe the importance of the second match, the European Championship qualifier against Wales, because everyone knows all too well that if we win that match, it’ll mean we’ve qualified for the 2020 European Championship which will be jointly-hosted in Budapest”.

The November schedule for our Euro 2020 qualifying group (all times are CET):

November 16th
Croatia – Slovakia 20:45
Azerbaijan – Wales 18:00

November 19th
Slovakia – Azerbaijan 20:45
Wales – Hungary 20:45

Martin Garrix to provide sound of UEFA EURO 2020

martin garix euro2020

DJ and producer Martin Garrix has committed to be the Official UEFA EURO 2020 Music Artist.

According to the Hungarian Football Federation, superstar DJ and producer Martin Garrix has been confirmed as the Official UEFA EURO 2020 Music Artist, committing to produce the official song for the tournament as well as other key music at the finals.

The 23-year-old superstar DJ and producer announced his new role while performing a hometown show at the Amsterdam Dance Event on Saturday 19th October. The song will be revealed in spring 2020 – and so too a collaboration with a singer – and the song will be performed in full for the first time at the UEFA EURO 2020 opening ceremony at the Olimpico in Rome on 12th June 2020.

Alongside the official song, Garrix will also produce the official walkout music, as well as music for use in all official broadcasts. “It’s an incredible honour to be asked to create the official song for UEFA EURO 2020 and I am so excited to let everyone hear it,” said Garrix. “Next summer’s tournament will take the fans closer to the action than ever before, and I really hope that my song will make everyone in Europe feel like they are part of it.

“It’s crazy to think that UEFA EURO 2020 will be held across 12 different cities, but it’s the perfect way to celebrate 60 years of this incredible competition. Music is my passion but I’m also a huge football fan, so it’s extra special for me to be able to create the official song for what will be the biggest EURO in history.”

Inspired by watching his fellow Dutch DJ Tiësto perform at the 2004 Olympic Games opening ceremony in Athens, Garrix has gone on to achieve worldwide success with an array of hits such as Don’t Look Down (featuring Usher), Scared To Be Lonely (featuring Dua Lipa) and In The Name Of Love (featuring Bebe Rexha). He has also worked with David Guetta, who wrote the official song for UEFA EURO 2016, and has recently collaborated with Dean Lewis for their new single Used To Love.

Guy-Laurent Epstein, director of marketing at UEFA, said:

“UEFA EURO 2020 will be a month of celebration across Europe, and there’s no better person to get the party started than Martin Garrix. Both music and football bring people together, and with the tournament being played in 12 different countries across the continent for the first time, there will be an overriding theme of unity throughout UEFA EURO 2020.”

Win a chance to meet Martin Garrix at the UEFA EURO 2020 final draw in Bucharest on 30 November at www.euro2020.com/JoinThePeople

Korhut cracker keeps Euro 2020 dream alive for Hungary

Korhut cracker keeps Euro 2020 dream alive for Hungary

hungary vs azerbaijan football

Mihály Korhut’s first-half rocket from 30 metres secures Hungary three crucial points against Azerbaijan in the Groupama Aréna on Sunday evening and keeps the nation’s hopes of UEFA 2020 European Championship qualification alive.

Korhut’s maiden international strike was the only reward Marco Rossi’s men had for an evening of almost total dominance against their qualifying group’s bottom team but a succession of missed chances maintained Azeri hopes and only a disallowed goal in the dying seconds of the match ensured the hosts would breathe new life into their UEFA Euro 2020 dream.

Head coach Marco Rossi unsurprisingly opted to shuffle his pack following Thursday’s disappointing defeat in Croatia, centre-back Botond Baráth returning from suspension to take Tamás Kádár’s place, Dominik Szoboszlai deemed fit enough to replace the suspended László Kleinheisler and István Kovács coming in for Dávid Holman.

The atmosphere created by the 15,300 children at the start of the match, one has to admit, was both refreshing and spectacular,

the higher tones of encouragement and constant vuvuzela drones (at least until half-time when the crowd was asked to desist from the latter) providing an unprecedented backdrop to any Hungarian men’s match in this correspondent’s memory.

Hungary were dominant from the outset, Vida’s through pass in the sixth minute finding Szoboszali free in front of the Azerbaijan goalkeeper Emil Balayev who was stranded having ill-advisedly rushed out of his goal, but the Salzburg attacking midfielder could only scoop his attempted lob high over the crossbar from 17 metres.

Soon, Szalai was to control the ball and set up Balázs Dzsudzsák for a low effort which was blocked on the edge of the Azerbaijan penalty area. Captain Balázs Dzsudzsák then found left-winger Roland Sallai with a raking cross-field pass but his cross evaded his teammates and from the resultant clearance, Máté Vida saw his precise, curling effort tipped over the bar by an alert Balayev.

The pressure was about to tell on the visitors though, albeit from an extremely unlikely source.

Dzsudzsák’s tenth-minute, inswinging, right-wing corner had been cleared by the head of Pavlo Pashayev but left-back Korhut was perfectly placed 30 metres from goal to sublimely volley the ball low into the right side of the Azeri net, his celebratory imitation of an archer firing a bow and arrow topping off a real champagne moment for the Aris Salonika left-back who had scored his first international goal on his 21st appearance.

Dzsudzsák then saw his vicious half-volley in the 19th minute blocked after neat inter-play involving Szoboszlai and Szalai, and Sallai’s deflected drive was well-gathered by Balayev as Hungary pushed for a two-goal cushion. Kovács’ right-wing cross was anticipated by Sallai ahead of a leaden-footed away defence but having nipped into a great position, he could only half-volley a difficult shot wide of the left post.

The hosts were totally in control. Just after the half-hour mark, Szoboszlai dummied the ball for the arriving Sallai at the back of the penalty area but his high effort was easily caught by Balayev. A moment later, Freiburg winger Sallai jinked his way to the left byline but there were no teammates to tap in his pass across the goal just two metres out. The final act of a one-sided first half came when Dzsudzsák’s clever, dinked pass found Szalai all along eight metres out but with his back to goal, he opted to head the ball hopefully towards Sallai and the chance disappeared.

Would Hungary live to rue all these missed opportunities?

The pattern of the match showed no signs of changing in the second period, a foul by Richard Almeida on Kovács giving dead-ball specialist Szoboszlai the chance to replicate his fine goal against Slovakia in September but his typically elegant, curling effort flew a metre over Balayev’s bar.

Kovács’s shot from a half-cleared Dzsudzsák corner was blocked by a desperate, massed Azeri defence, Sallai blazed high and wide after Szoboszlai had pressured the Azeri keeper into a mistake and Dzsudzsák saw yet another shot blocked as Rossi’s charges turned the screw. Remarkably, thirteen minutes from time, it was Korhut who unleashed another superb low shot from distance but this time it sped just the wrong side of Balayev’s left post.

A raft of substitutions had taken much of the sting out of the game but with just one goal in it, there was always the capacity fr late drama and it duly game when Bahlul Mustafazade bundled the ball into Hungary’s net following an added-time corner, only for the referee to judge the defender had handled the ball. It was therefore Hungary who took all three points to lift the country into second position in their qualifying group with one match left, away in Wales in November.

Hungary succumb to first-half onslaught in Split

croatia hungary football

Three first-half goals condemned Marco Rossi’s team to a comprehensive defeat against Croatia this evening, but Wales’ draw in Slovakia keeps Hungarian hopes of UEFA Euro2020 qualification alive ahead of Sunday’s crucial contest against Azerbaijan in the Groupama Aréna.

Tamás Kádár’s mistake let in Luka Modrić for a fifth-minute opener before Petković scored twice more inside a sobering first half from the visitors’ point of view. Later, László Kleinheisler conceded a 55th-minute penalty which Hungary goalkeeper Péter Gulácsi saved from Ivan Perišić and was then immediately sent off for a second yellow card as Croatia preserved their advantage and sealed the points.

The warning signs had been there for a much-changed Hungary – Rossi’s team were missing four players from March’s 2-1 win in the corresponding fixture in Budapest – from the outset, Modrić volleying over from a half-clearance and Perišić driving low into Gulácsi’s arms within the first four minutes.

Those warnings weren’t heeded though, Kádar dwelling too long before attempting to launch the ball in the fifth minute, a clearance which Modrić charged down and latched onto, running in on goal before slotting the ball low past a static Gulácsi’s left hand from nine metres.

Young midfielder Máté Vida saw his flicked near-post header from a corner blocked as Hungary sought to equalise but matters were only to get worse when Ante Rebić powered down the left wing in the 24th minute and crossed low to Petković, who cleverly allowed the ball to roll in front of his body with his back turned to goal before flicking the ball through his own legs and past Gulácsi with his slightly raised instep.

Two-nil was already an imposing challenge for the away side to recover from in Split but the three-goal deficit Hungary found themselves facing in the 42nd minute would prove to be a decisive and insurmountable obstacle, a relatively innocuous cross from Perišić on the Croatia right inexplicably missed by Kádár but not by Petković, who hooked the ball in rather unorthodox fashion past a scrambling Gulácsi and into the far left side of the goal.

Substitute Ádám Lang relieved Kádár of his central-defensive duties at half-time and for this reason and surely Marco Rossi’s teamtalk too, Hungary looked far more stable in the second period. There were still moments of concern though, not least when Kleinheisler upended Rebic just inside the penalty area in the 55th minute. but Gulácsi plunged impressively to his right to push Perišić’s spotkick around the post.

Kleinheisler was then shown his second yellow card of the match, presumably for dissent, and dismissed from the field of play.

Sallai had Hungary’s first shot on goal in the 68th minute, a deflected effort which Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livaković saved high to his right, before making way for Ferencváros winger Roland Varga. The game was a much more even affair at this point, Croatia content to preserve their lead and a reassured Hungary searching for the salvation of pride, albeit with only ten men. Thereafter, Rebic came closest to opening Croatia’s second-half account in the later stages, driving the ball just wide of the far left post from a tight angle, while at the other end Orban headed Varga’s 35-metre free-kick from a central position just wide of Livaković’s left post. There were to be no further goals though, Croatia securing a straightforward 3-0 victory as they made it 17 home games unbeaten since 2013.

Elsewhere in the group, Slovakia could only draw 1-1 at home to Wales, which means Hungary’s neighbours to the north must surely take points off Croatia in the next match if they wish to hold on to second spot.

Hungary, meanwhile, know it’s likely that only two wins from their matches at home to Azerbaijan and away to Wales will be enough to give them a chance of qualification from this group. Croatia lead the standings with 13 points from six matches, three ahead of Slovakia and four clear of Hungary in third place. Wales are a further two points adrift in fourth.

Croatia 3-0 Hungary (HT: 3-0)
Att: 32,110
Goalscorers: Modrić (5), Petković (24, 42)
Red card: Kleinheisler (55)

CRO: Dominik Livaković; Tin Jedvaj, Dejan Lovren, Domagoj Vida, Borna Barišić; Luka Modrić (Mateo Kovačić 67), Marcelo Brozović; Ante Rebić, Ivan Rakitić (Nikola Vlašić 74), Ivan Perišić (Josip Brekalo 60); Bruno Petković.

HUN: Péter Gulácsi; Gergő Lovrencsics, Willi Orban, Tamás Kádár (Ádám Lang 46), Mihály Korhut; Balázs Dzsudzsák (Dominik Nagy 60), László Kleinheisler, Dávid Holman, Máté Vida, Roland Sallai (Roland Varga 76); Ádám Szalai.

Euro2020: Full Hungarian squad in attendance as Rossi’s preparations begin

willi-orban hungary

Hungary Men’s head coach Marco Rossi held his squad’s first training session on Monday as the players begin to prepare for the European qualifiers against Croatia and Azerbaijan.

Monday also saw the last squad members arrive in Telki from abroad to start preparing for Thursday’s UEFA Euro 2020 qualifier against Croatia in Split. As reported earlier, Rossi’s plans have been hit by the loss of Máté Pátkai to injury and Ádám Nagy to suspension (the latter for the first match against Croatia only), on top of which Dominik Szoboszlai and Krisztián Tamás have also been ruled out of Thursday’s crucial fixture and doubts persist as to the fitness of right-back Barnabás Bese. Marco Rossi has therefore invited János Ferenczi and Endre Botka to join his squad.

Ferencváros midfielder Dávid Sigér made his debut last month in a friendly match against Montenegro and it is quite possible that he could make his competitive debut for Hungary this week.

“Because of the injuries, I may have more of a role in the upcoming games, but it won’t affect my approach; even if I get fewer chances, I do the same thing,” said Sigér commented in a pre-training press interview. “It’s also a huge thing for me to be in the squad and help the team, and I’m ready to prove in every training session and match that I merit a place in the national team”. I also feel that I can benefit from playing high-level matches with Ferencváros in the Europa League, something which is a huge opportunity for me to progress and develop. Playing in multiple competitions can take a lot out of a person, but the chance of national-team selection gives you new impetus and you don’t feel so tired.

I focus on solving these tasks and I face up to every challenge. In the home game against Croatia in Budapest, we were able to show we were capable of a brilliant result but we also saw our opponent produce a similar performance against Slovakia last month.

We’ll do our best to be successful again against the World Cup finalists but I think getting a point against them would also be a great result.

Róbert Feczesin, the Újpest striker, is back in the national-team setup after eight years, his most recent appearance coming in November 2011 against Poland.

“I’m glad to be a member of the national team again. I’ve been working very hard lately but honestly I didn’t expect selection, especially since I’ve only recently come back to Hungary. We have a difficult task ahead; so far, we’ve just been focusing on the away match against Croatia, in which we will of course be trying to get a good result. Of course, World Cup silver medallists Croatia are favourites to win the match, but I think anything can happen and we have a good enough team to spring a surprise in Split. For that though, we have to perform to our optimum without any mistakes at all. We have a few players missing, which really makes things difficult, but whoever is a member of the national team is here because of their ability to play at this level and to make up for any absences”.

Thursday’s match will feature Italian referees, Daniele Orsato being the man with the whistle along with his assistants Lorenzo Manganelli, Fabiano Preti and Davide Massa.

Euro 2020: Hungary hampered by more injuries

szoboszlai hungary squad

Sunday evening saw the Hungary men’s national-team squad gather in Telki ahead of their UEFA 2020 European Championship qualifiers away against Croatia and at home to Azerbaijan, but head coach Marco Rossi’s preparations have been dealt a blow with the advent of more injuries.

On Saturday, it transpired that Máté Pátkai’s muscle injury has ruled him out of contention, on top of which followed the bad news that Dominik Szoboszlai and Krisztián Tamás have incurred minor injuries which preclude them joining up with the squad and that Barnabás Bese’s involvement is also very much in doubt. Szoboszlai has remained in Salzburg for further treatment early this week with his club’s medical team, while Bese has arrived in Budapest but immediately went from the airport for an MRI scan to ascertain just how serious his injury is.

Pátkai’s and Szoboszlai’s withdrawals present Rossi with a serious midfield problem now because Bristol City central midfielder Ádám Nagy is suspended for Hungary’s fixture against Croatia in Split on Thursday.

DAC midfielder Máté Vida was called up as back-up last week and now Debrecen tyro János Ferenczi joins him in the full squad.

“I wouldn’t call the situation ideal”, Rossi admitted. “At the same time, it won’t improve if we start to whine about it. It’s our task to prepare the healthy squad members as well as possible for the tough assignments ahead of us, so that they can deal with the challenges in the best possible way”.

Hungary will play Croatia in Split at 20:45 CET on Thursday evening and Azerbaijan in the Groupama Aréna at 18:00 on Sunday. Read more: Hungary-Azerbaijan to be held behind closed doors

Rossi has presented Hungary squad, Feczesin returns after near-eight-year absence

feczesin újpest hungary

Róbert Feczesin and Krisztián Tamás are amongst the 26 players called up by head coach Marco Rossi to the latest Hungary men’s squad which will face Croatia in Split on 10th October and Azerbaijan in Budapest three days later.

Hungary’s head coach has selected Újpest striker Róbert Feczesin after the striker’s superb form saw him score four goals in three league matches this season.

Rossi has also decided to count on Krisztián Tamás, the left-back who is on-loan at Zalaegerszegi TE. However, Dániel Gazdag, who made his debut in the recent friendly match against Montenegro, is left out due to injury, as is attacker Zsolt Kalmár, who recently underwent minor knee surgery. Central midfielder Ádám Nagy has not played for his new club Bristol City in England since his last national team match, but Rossi has nevertheless kept him in the squad.

“We know we missed a huge chance in the match against Slovakia, even though the boys did everything they could to succeed,” Rossi told MLSZ.hu.

“Even today, with a clear head, I can say we were very unlucky in that match. Now, we have two extremely difficult games, which have become even more important than ever. We still have a chance to qualify but it depends very much on the outcome of these two fixtures, especially the second one. We definitely have take three points against Azerbaijan, while, on paper, it seems impossible to win against Croatia but we will still try to produce something special, all the while knowing who we are and who they are”.

The former Honvéd and DAC coach has decided to call up two returning players because they are playing regularly and performing well for their clubs.

“I’ve decided to call up Krisztián Tamás because he was a squad member last year but didn’t play regularly at Vidi last season. Lately though, he’s been playing regularly for ZTE and has been one of their best players every time he’s played. Of course, I have known Róbert Feczesin for a long time and have always liked his game. He’s a true team player who works very hard for the team on the pitch, keeps possession of the ball very well and is extremely technical, so he can be a big help to the team if something happens to Ádám Szalai or he becomes tired. I know Robert isn’t a young player, but he’s in great form at the moment and he can help us a lot”.

Újpest striker Feczesin, by his own admission, didn’t expect to again be a member of the national squad.

“I’m very happy to be selected again,” he explained, still sounding somewhat surprised. “I honestly admit that I didn’t expect it, but I’m really happy to be able to be in this sort of form aged 33 and to have started this season so well for Újpest. It has always been a special feeling and a great honour for me to be part of the national team and this time is no exception. Now, I’m excited to start working together with my national-team colleagues on Sunday”.

The Hungary squad to face Croatia and Azerbaijan:

Goalkeepers:

Dénes Dibusz (Ferencvárosi TC)
Péter Gulácsi (RB Leipzig)
Ádám Kovácsik (Fehérvár FC)

Defenders:

Botond Baráth (Sporting Kansas KC)
Barnabás Bese (Le Havre)
Tamás Kádár (Dinamo Kiev)
Mihály Korhut (Aris Thessaloniki)
Ádám Lang (Omonia Nicosia)
Gergő Lovrencsics (Ferencvárosi TC)
Krisztián Tamás (Zalaegerszeg TE – on loan from Fehérvár FC)
Willi Orban (RB Leipzig)

Midfielders:

Dávid Holman (Slovan Bratislava)
László Kleinheisler (NK Osijek)
István Kovács (Fehérvár FC)
Ádám Nagy (Bristol City FC)
Máté Pátkai (Fehérvár FC)
Dávid Sigér (Ferencvárosi TC)
Dominik Szoboszlai (RB Salzburg)

Forwards:

Balázs Dzsudzsák (al-Ittihad)
Róbert Feczesin (Újpest FC)
Filip Holender (FC Lugano)
Dominik Nagy (Legia Warsaw)
Krisztián Németh (Sporting Kansas KC)
Sallai Roland (SC Freiburg)
Ádám Szalai (Mainz)
Roland Varga (Ferencvárosi TC)

The squad members will meet in Telki on Sunday 6th October before travelling to Split, Croatia, on Wednesday, 9th October.

Dalić has presented Croatia squad for Hungary and Wales

croatia football 2019

Croatia head coach Zlatko Dalić has presented his squad for the upcoming EURO 2020 qualifiers against Hungary in Split and against Wales in Cardiff.

According to the Croatian Football Association official page, the national team will meet on Monday, 7 October in Split, and await the home encounter with Hungary at Poljud Stadium on Thursday, 10 October. Two days later, Croatia travels to Wales, to play in Cardiff on Sunday, 13 October.

Hungary overcame Croatia in Budapest (2:1), while Croatia beat Wales in Osijek (2:1). Zlatko Dalić’s men are currently top of EURO 2020 qualifying Group E, with a one-point advantage over Slovakia and Hungary, and four over Wales.

Croatia head coach decided to call-up the following players:

Goalkeepers: Dominik Livaković (Dinamo), Lovre Kalinić (Aston Villa), Simon Sluga (Luton Town)

Defenders: Domagoj Vida (Besiktas), Dejan Lovren (Liverpool), Tin Jedvaj (Augsburg), Borna Barišić (Rangers), Matej Mitrović (Club Brugge), Dario Melnjak (Rizespor), Mile Škorić (Osijek), Karlo Bartolec (Copenhagen)

Midfielders: Luka Modrić (Real Madrid), Ivan Rakitić (Barcelona), Mateo Kovačić (Chelsea), Milan Badelj (Fiorentina), Marcelo Brozović (Inter Milan), Mario Pašalić (Atalanta), Nikola Vlašić (CSKA Moscow)

Forwards: Ivan Perišić (Bayern), Ante Rebić (AC Milan), Bruno Petković (Dinamo), Josip Brekalo (Wolfsburg), Mislav Oršić (Dinamo)

Stand-by: Marko Rog (Cagliari), Dino Perić (Dinamo), Filip Bradarić (Hajduk), Mijo Caktaš (Hajduk)

Hungary-Azerbaijan to be held behind closed doors – EURO2020

Hungary-Slovakia

Hungary will host their UEFA 2020 European Championship qualifier with Azerbaijan on 13th October behind closed doors and must pay UEFA a penalty of around 20 million forints (approximately 70,000 Euros) as result of supporter misbehaviour at the most recent home fixture against Slovakia. Season-ticket holders will receive a refund on the price of their ticket for this next match.

Press release – UEFA’s disciplinary body has punished the Hungarian Football Federation (MLSZ) for its fans’ racist and exclusionist chants at the Hungary-Slovakia European Championship qualifying fixture on 8th September.

Although MLSZ, the players and their head coach Marco Rossi all asked spectators in advance of the match for a respectful, sporting atmosphere, the subsequent inspectors’ reports documented that there were repeated instances of chants against the Roma community and the country of Slovakia amongst others.

The decision was then reached due to these being another repeat of disciplinary misconduct inside the national team’s stadium over the past five years.

In light of the disciplinary decision, MLSZ has decided to invite under-14 football academy students and football-loving youngsters to the Hungary-Azerbaijan match in order to create some kind of an atmosphere at this Euro qualifier.

Meanwhile, the federation is appealing to UEFA about the decision while simultaneously asking security professionals to identify those spectators guilty of instigating the scenes a fortnight ago.

Season-ticket holders will be refunded a proportion of the cost of their ticket based on how many matches they purchased entry for. Those who purchased their tickets online will have this amount transferred back to the same credit card used at the time of purchase, while those who bought their passes in person at the box office should return there to receive the pro rata amount due.

Hungarian ambassador to Slovakia summoned over football chants

Gascoigne and Klose join list of new Euro 2020 ambassadors

klose

As well as Zoltán Gera, the ambassador for the 2020 UEFA European Championship matches in Budapest, legends such as Alessandro Del Piero, Deco and Ruud Gullit are promoting the tournament across the continent. Now, a raft of new, famous names have been added to the list of tournament ambassadors.

In the first round, UEFA selected 34 former star players as ambassadors for the 2020 European Championship.

Now 14 more legends have joined UEFA’s team.

Ambassadors are tasked with promoting the 60th anniversary of the European Championship, which will be organised jointly by 12 countries in 2020. A real football festival is expected next summer, no more so than in Budapest where Hungarian fans will watch four tournament matches in the soon-to-be-completed Ferenc Puskás Arena.

Zoltán Gera, a 97-time Hungarian national-team player and currently coach of the U21 national team, is the ambassador of host nation Hungary, and he himself has good memories of the most recent Euros in 2016; he scored against Portugal and that goal was voted the best of the tournament.

UEFA announced on Thursday that Patrik Berger (Czech Republic), David Seaman (England), Paul Gascoigne (England), Jean-François Domergue (France), Alain Giresse (France), Jean Tigana (France), Luis Fernandez (France) , Steffen Freund (Germany), Christian Ziege (Germany), Miroslav Klose (Germany), Thomas Helmer (Germany), Giorgios Karagounis (Greece), Theodoros Zagorakis (Greece) and Marcos Senna (Spain) have now also become UEFA EURO2020 Ambassadors.

Check out the brand new Puskás Stadium! – PHOTOS

Maiden Szoboszlai goal in vain as Hungary slip up against Slovakia

Maiden Szoboszlai goal in vain as Hungary slip up against Slovakia

Dominik Szoboszlai’s superb second-half free-kick was not enough to help Hungary secure any points from their Euro 2020 qualifier at home against Slovakia, Marco Rossi’s team eventually succumbing 2-1 in the Groupama Aréna on Monday night.

Slovakia had taken a 40th-minute lead through Robert Mak’s close-range finish but Hungary playmaker Szoboszlai hauled his team back on level terms with a fabulous curling free-kick, only for striking prodigy Robert Bozenik to seal a potentially vital victory for the visitors with a well-taken shot on the turn.

Rossi opted to change almost his whole starting lineup from the 2-1 friendly defeat in Montenegro last Thursday, Péter Gulácsi starting in goal behind a four-man defence of left-back Tamás Kádár, central defenders Willi Orban, Botond Baráth and right-back Gergő Lovrencsics. Ádám Nagy was deemed fit enough to take his place at the base of midfield alongside László Kleinheisler with the attacking trio of Roland Sallai, Dominik Szoboszlai and captain Balázs Dzsudzsák in front of them and Ádám Szalai ploughing his usual lone furrow upfront.

Initially, it was Slovakia who dominated possession but Hungary found a way to retain the ball and soon made inroads down both flanks, Sallai nearly wriggling free in the left channel and Dzsudzsák surging down the right before sliding in Kleinheisler for a sight of goal, only for the burly midfielder to shoot tamely, straight at Slovakia goalkeeper Martin Dubravka.

Visiting striker Robert Bozenik had the ball in the net for Slovakia near the end of the first ten inutes but that was correctly ruled out for offside before Hungary’s left-winger Sallai just failed to reach a deep, inswinging cross from the right by his captain. Szoboszlai’s low drive from Szalai was well-held by Dubravka and Sallai’s low, left-wing pass along Slovakia’s six-yard line evaded Szalai as Hungary really started to threaten at every opportunity.

At the other end, Gulácsi had less to do, but still had to be alert to dive to his left and smother Robert Mak’s crisp, low shot from twenty metres. Kleinheisler’s persistence in central midfield then forced a mistake which yielded the ball for Szalai to turn and test Dubravka’s reflexes again in the 24th minute, but the hosts were dealt a blow when Lovrencsics was forced off with a hip injury, the Ferencváros full-back replaced by Barnabás Bese.

Maiden Szoboszlai goal in vain as Hungary slip up against Slovakia
Budapest, Hungary. Photo: MTI

Still, all the signs from general play were that Hungary were on the right track, but they were suddenly knocked off course five minutes before half-time. Szoboszlai failed to notice Marek Hamsik creeping up on the right-wing so when a crossfield pass was played from left to right, it left Kádár facing two attackers and Hamsik with time and space to send in a low cross to a suspiciously offside Bozenik. The linesman saw the situation otherwise though and although Baráth pressured the forward into a miskick, Mak was on hand behind them to bury the rebound low past Gulácsi from eight metres.

This was tough on Rossi’s men, who surely deserved to at least be level at the halfway stage but it wouldn’t be long before they did restore parity.

Szoboszlai played a pass into Sallai just outside the left side of the Slovakia area, who drew a foul from defender Dennis Vavro, set-piece specialist Szoboszlai then stepping up to curl a sumptuous fiftieth-minute free-kick over the away team’s defensive wall and inside the top-left corner of the net for his first goal at full international level.

The fiercely-partisan capacity home crowd went wild as they celebrated an equaliser and, at the same time, the emergence of another promising young international player, but unfortunately Hungary’s players couldn’t capitalise on their foothold in the game.

Instead, it was Slovakia who drew blood next, Stanislav Lobotka playing a nice one-two with Junaj Kucka in the 56th minute and cutting in from the right wing before playing in Bozenik, the 19-year-old MSK Zilina striker showing admirable composure and deadeye accuracy to fire the ball low and just inside Gulácsi’s left post and edge his side into a 2-1 lead.

That advantage was nearly doubled in disastrous circumstances a few minutes late when Orban let a high ball drop off his thigh and into the path of Hamsik but his shot was blocked by Gulácsi and his desperate defenders and the ensuing rebound was volleyed over an empty goal by the wasteful Mak. Dzsudzsák twice nearly took advantage of that miss midway through the second half, firstly a shot from distance scuttling wide of the right post and then a superb turn and high, right-footed effort which Dubravka did really well to tip over the crossbar.

Hungary kept up their search for another leveller but they seemed to tire more and more as time ran out, the exhausted Nagy and Kleinheisler replaced by Máté Pátkai and Filip Holender respectively as the entrance of fresh legs preceded a final assault. However, it was Slovak captain Hamsik who came closest to scoring the next goal, his 84th-minute drive from close range beaten behind by a sprawling Gulácsi.

This setback now leaves Hungary third in the group – one point behind leaders Croatia who drew in Azerbaijan earlier today and level on nine points with Slovakia, who leapfrog Rossi’s team by virtue of a better head-to-head record.