Iceland undone by late own goal – Iceland v Hungary EURO 2016
Group F
Iceland 1-1 Hungary
A late own goal from Birkir Saevarsson saw Hungary snatch a 1-1 draw and avoid an unexpected defeat against Iceland at Euro 2016 this evening in Marseille. Iceland had gone ahead thanks to a Gylfi Sigurdsson penalty but the late blow saw the sides share the spoils.
Hungarian captain Balazs Dzsudzsak did have one chance in the early stages but his fierce shot from the edge of the area was blocked by Aron Gunnarsson and he later had another effort deflected for a corner. Chances were few and far between for Hungary.Iceland went close when Jon Dadi Bodvarsson headed over and Sigurdsson might have hoped for a better outcome after whipping in a dangerous-looking ball that evaded everyone.Iceland came alive on the half-hour mark as Sigurdsson outmuscled Tamas Kadar to turn and shoot but Gabor Kiraly saved well with his feet. Kiraly needed to stand up well again just moments later, but this time to redeem himself after playing team-mate Richard Guzmics into trouble. Guzmics was forced into a rushed clearance from a poor Kiraly pass andIceland intercepted. Kolbeinn Sigthorsson swept in but the goalkeeper turned his shot away for a corner.
The danger was not over, however, and Kiraly compounded his error by spilling the corner. The ball ran loose and Gunnarsson went down under a Kadar challenge. It was perhaps a harsh penalty but Sigurdsson made no mistake from the spot.
Iceland seemed content to sit on their lead in the second half, although Bodvarsson attempted the spectacular with an overhead kick that flew well wide.Hungary were allowed to keep pushing forward but Iceland stayed deep and limited their opportunities. Dzsudzsak did take aim with two long-range free-kicks but only of them troubled Hannes Halldorsson, and the goalkeeper clutched that at the second attempt.Clear-cut chances were few and far between but Hungary’s pressure eventually bore fruit as they found space down the right with 87 minutes on the clock.Laszlo Kleinheisler released Nikolic and his cross into the middle was diverted in by Saevarsson. Iceland might have snatched the lead back in injury time but Sigursson fired a free-kick into the wall and veteran substitute Eidur Gudjohnsen put the rebound wide.
Hungary remain at the top of Group F while Iceland are level with Portugal.
Man of the Match – Kolbeinn Sigthórsson
Substitutions:
Iceland
- Emil Hallfredsson replaces Aron Gunnarsson 66 mins
- Alfred Finnbogason replaces Jon Dadi Boedvarsson 69 mins
- Eidur Gudjohnsen replaces Kolbeinn Sigthorsson 84 mins
Hungary
- Nemanja Nikolic replaces Zoltan Stieber 67 mins
- Daniel Bode replaces Tamas Priskin 67 mins
- Adam Szalai replaces Roland Juhasz 85 mins
Yellow cards:
Iceland – Johann Berg Gudmundsson,Alfred Finnbogason ,Birkir Saevarsson.
Hungary – Tamas Kadar, Laszlo Kleinheisler,Adam Nagy.
