For the first time since 1962, Hungary defeated England! Although it isn’t quite the same as the old 7-1 (see prologue), the youthful crowd party like it’s 1954!
England kicks up their UEFA Nations League campaign against Hungary today in Group A3.
The other teams in England’s group are Germany and Italy, so Gareth Southgate will be
hoping to get the Three Lions off to a good start this evening.
The game meant to be played behind closed doors, but after the hosts exploited a
loophole in their sentence for racist behavior, the Hungarian FA permitted 30,000 kids to
watch the match. England defeated Hungary on the road in a World Cup qualifier, but drew
at Wembley in their most recent meeting.
As four Nations League games will be played in quick succession, Southgate may offer
debuts to James Justin and Jarrod Bowen. Changes in line-ups and personnel expected
to be routine during the next two weeks. The England manager’s top focus will be to use
these matches to finalize his team for this year’s World Cup, making performances more
important than wins in some situations as players make their claims for inclusion. He’ll also
be hopeful that England can continue their recent trend of challenging for first place in any
competition they compete in.
Hungary vs England
Hungary is on the verge of taking the lead in spectacular way! Szalai snatches the ball in the centre circle and gives it to Szalai, who sees Pickford off his line and blasts it like Beckham. With the England goalkeeper in no-land, man’s the ball bounces millimeters wide of the left-hand post.
84 minutes: Down the inside-right channel, James slides Kane into the Hungary box. At close range, Kane delivers an unexpectedly feeble whip into Gulacsi’s midriff.
90 minutes: James shoves Adam in the back, giving the Hungarian sub an opportunity to roll around on the floor and waste time. Because there will be five extra minutes, every second counts.
90 minutes +4: Some previously ignored and unreported administrative: Maguire charged with assaulting Sallai. The television report also claims James received a yellow card for a tug on Szoboszlai, which can’t be correct given he’s already been booked and isn’t being sent home.
