Hungary upset Austrians – Austria v Hungary EURO 2016
Group F
Austria 0-2 Hungary
Hungary caused the first real upset of the competition today by defeating a ten man Austria side 2-0 in Bordeaux. The Hungarians took the lead in the 63rd minute through Adam Szalai before compounding the Austrian’s woes three minutes from time thanks to a goal from substitute Zoltan Stieber.
The first half saw Austria get off to an electric start with Bayern Munich’s David Alaba smashing a shot off the woodwork inside the opening 30 seconds. That early excitement was the pinnacle of the first half with chances coming few and far between for both sides. Austria tested Hungarian goalkeeper Gabor Kiraly who made history today becoming the oldest player to feature in the competition aged 40 years and 74 days old. He was still agile between the stick sporting his trade mark jogging pants and did well to keep his side level heading into the break.
The second half was much the same as the first up until the 63rd minute when goalscorer Szalai played an intricate one-two with Kleinheisler. The midfielder fed the striker who slide the ball under the sprawling Almer giving Hungary the lead. Austria thought they had equalised soon after but Martin Hinteregger’s effort was disallowed for a foul by Aleksandar Dragovic who was sent off after receiving a second yellow card. His first came in the first half for a rash challenge but his second is slightly controversial. He seemed to be focus on striking the ball and then clips the Hungarian defender. Nevertheless he was given his marching orders and Austria’s task became much harder.
10 man Austria began to commit player forward in search of an equaliser and missing a defender they were playing a risky game. Their gamble didn’t pay off and three minutes from time Hungary broke on a counter attack. A long ball forward was controlled by substitute Zoltan Stieber who raced towards goal. Completely exposed Almer rushed out of his goal only to see Stieber deftly dink the ball over his head before it nestled into the back of the net.
Hungary deservedly won today as the collective team spirit of Hungary defeated the big name individuals of Austria. The red card certainly changed the game but Hungary were the better team on the whole. The Hungarians sit top of Group F with Austria rock bottom. Portugal take on Iceland in the games other fixture this evening.
Man of the Match – László Kleinheisler
Substitutions :
Austria –
- Marcel Sabitzer replaces Zlatko Junuzovic 60 mins
- Rubin Okotie replaces Marc Janko 66 mins
- Alessandro Schoepf replaces Martin Harnik 78 mins
Hungary –
- Tamas Priskin replaces Adam Szalai 69 mins
- Zoltan Stieber replaces Laszlo Kleinheisler 80 mins
- Adam Pinter replaces Krisztian Nemeth 89
Yellow cards :
Austria – Alexander Dragovic (X2)
Hungary – Krisztian Nemeth
