Hungary 1-1 France: World champions held in Budapest as Hungary keep Group F hopes alive

Report as France struggle in Budapest cauldron; Attila Fiola gave Hungary shock lead in the first-half stoppage time, before Antoine Griezmann levelled in second half

@gedbrand10

Saturday 19 June 2021 16:17, UK

Tournament favourites France were held to a surprise 1-1 draw against Hungary in their second Euro 2020 Group F game in Budapest.

France missed two big chances to take the lead through Kylian Mbappe’s header and Karim Benzema’s sliced effort wide, but Hungary stunned the world champions through Attila Fiola’s finish having been put through on goal (45+2), sending the home crowd into raptures.

In a cauldron atmosphere in Budapest, France levelled on 66 minutes through Antoine Griezmann, finishing up at close range after Mbappe had held up Hugo Lloris’ long kick upfield.

They couldn’t grab a winner, and the result means France have four points after two games, which should be enough to make the last 16 as they finish their group stage against Portugal on Wednesday, while Hungary, on one point, must beat Germany in their final game in Munich.

  • How the teams lined up | In-depth stats and analysis
  • Euro 2020 group tables | Who needs what to qualify for last 16?

Player ratings

Hungary: Gulacsi (7), Botka (6), Orban (7), Attila Szalai (7), Nego (7), Kleinheisler (8), Nagy (7), Schafer (6), Fiola (8), Sallai (7), Adam Szalai (6)

Subs: Nikolics (7), Cseri (NA), Lovrencsics (NA)

France: Lloris (6), Pavard (5), Varane (5), Kimpembe (6), Digne (6), Kante (6), Pogba (5), Rabiot (5), Griezmann (6), Benzema (6), Mbappe (7)

Subs: Dembele (5), Tolisso (NA), Giroud (NA), Lemar (NA)

Man of the match: Laszlo Kleinheisler

How stubborn Hungary denied favourites France

Hungary started intensely in the blistering heat of Budapest, cheered on by a full house as the Puskas Arena, but were leaving gaps in defence.

Trending

Mbappe came within inches of opening the scoring, running onto Lucas Digne’s wicked left-wing cross to head just wide of Peter Gulacsi’s left-hand post, before Mbappe’s superb flick set up a big chance for Benzema, only for the forward to slice wide from 12 yards out.

France were moving through the gears and pinning Hungary back as the first half wore on, but the hosts took a shock lead in stoppage time through Fiola.

Benjamin Pavard was slow on the turn as Fiola latched onto Roland Sallai’s touch behind the French defence, and under pressure from Raphael Varane, the Hungary right-back slotted low into the bottom right corner past Lloris.

Fiola’s opener for Hungary was the first time France had conceded in six matches in all competitions, ending a run of 527 minutes of play without shipping a goal.

Didier Deschamps brought on Ousmane Dembele for Adrien Rabiot early in the second half, and though the Barcelona man struck the outside of the post from just inside the box moments after arriving, Hungary continued to frustrate France.

  • Subscribe to Sky Sports’ Euro 2020 podcast
  • Euro 2020 fixtures and schedule | Euro 2020 gossip column

But for all the talk of France’s attractive style of play, the leveller was route one. The quick-thinking Hugo Lloris’ long punt upfield was held up brilliantly by Mbappe, and his centre deflected off Willi Orban fell kindly to Griezmann to sweep home from eight yards.

It was Griezmann’s seventh goal at the Euros; only Cristiano Ronaldo (11) and Michel Platini (9) have more.

Team news

Hungary made one change as Nego came in for Lovrencsics after impressing with his sub appearance against Portugal.

France also made just one change, at left-back, as Digne came in for Hernandez.

Mbappe struck a powerful left-footed effort straight at Gulacsi with 10 minutes to go, found clear on the left of the box by sub Olivier Giroud’s clever touch, and France again came close in stoppage time as Varane headed wide from six yards.

Hungary were given little hope before the game, but cheered on by their vociferous support, the hosts opened ‘The Group of Death’ up by grabbing the point.

Opta stats

  • France remain unbeaten in their last nine matches at major tournaments (W7 D2 – World Cup and Euros), although this draw ended their five-match winning run at such competitions.
  • Hungary have never lost any of their four European Championship matches in which they have scored the opening goal (W2 D2).
  • France are unbeaten in their last 11 group stage games at major tournaments (World Cup and Euros), winning seven and drawing four since a 0-2 loss to Sweden at Euro 2012.

What’s next?

France’s final Group F game comes against Portugal on Wednesday evening at 8pm, while Hungary face Germany at the same time.

Source: Read Full Article