Hungary vs England shock defeat 0-1 European Nations League 2023
The England national team suffered a surprise defeat against its host Hungary 0-1 on Saturday evening, in the opening of its campaign in the European Nations League competition.
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| Hungary vs England |
Dominic Subolazzi scored the match's only goal from a penalty kick in the 66th minute, knowing that the group also includes Italy and Germany, who will meet later.
England manager Gareth Southgate relied on a 3-4-3 formation, with Kyle Walker standing alongside Harry Maguire and Conor Cody in the back line, with full-backs Trent Alexander-Arnold and James Justin free to move on both sides.
Jude Bellingham was present alongside Declan Rice in the midfield, while Mason Mount and Jarrod Bowen moved around striker Harry Kane.
The Hungarian team threatened its guest early, specifically in the third minute, when Alexander Arnold lost the ball in the middle of the field, so Roland Salai advanced with the ball, and shot from 20 yards, but England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford controlled the ball after it rebounded from his chest.
England responded a minute later, when Mont passed a through ball to Kane, who got rid of defender Urban before hitting the ball to the far post.
In the ninth minute, Justin directed a ball towards the penalty area, winking at Bowen, but defender Atilla Salai stood in front of the latter's attempt.
Goalkeeper Gulasky easily controlled Bowen's attempt with a cross from Arnold in the 11th minute, and the Hungarians responded a minute later, when Nego sent the ball to Subolazzi, whose attempt passed in front of Pickford, before Cody removed it from the goal line.
The rhythm calmed down for a while, until the 29th minute, when Salai's pass reached Sobolazzi, who passed the latter to Zolt Nagy, and the latter hit a ground ball that Pickford saved.
Adam Salai tried his luck with a long-range shot that passed away from the goal of the advanced goalkeeper Pickford in the 32nd minute, to keep the performance monotonous without danger until the end of the first half.
Bukayo Saka entered the England squad in place of Justin between the two halves, and passed Attila Salai on the left flank, before hitting a shot that was saved by Gulasky with his foot in the 51st minute.
The Hungarian defense saved a corner kick, to reach Bowen, who shot from afar over the goal in the 59th minute, before Reece James, Jack Grealish and John Stones entered the England squad.
The referee awarded a penalty kick to Hungary after Nagy was fouled by Reece James, and Subolazzi successfully executed the kick in the 66th minute.
Bowen hit the spot where goalkeeper Gulaski was standing in the 72nd minute, and moments later Attila Salai denied the Englishman Belligham from the shot in a comfortable position.
England missed the opportunity to adjust in the 77th minute, when Cody's header passed by the far post, and the host team responded by missing Salai a pure chance in front of the goal in the 81st minute.
England almost achieved their goal in the 89th minute, but Kane scored from outside after a cross from Grealish, to end the meeting with a sudden defeat for the English.