Hungary beat England for the first time in sixty years 1-0 on Saturday night in Budapest on the opening day of the Nations League to end a Three Lions record streak of 22 games unbeaten in regular time.
It is necessary to go back to May 31, 1962, during the World Cup disputed in Chile, to find the trace of such a success of the Hungarians, who were then at the twilight of their golden age.
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1962 – Hungary have registered their first win over England since May 1962 at the FIFA World Cup – eight years and 95 days before manager Gareth Southgate was even born. Indeed, today’s victory ended a 15-match winless run against the Three Lions for the Hungarians. Unforeseen. pic.twitter.com/wnZdqyeyIz
– OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 4, 2022
The last setback for Gareth Southgate’s selection in regulation time was that inflicted by Belgium on November 15, 2020 in the League of Nations already (2-0). England lost in the final of the Euro in July 2021 against Italy, but on penalties.
« I don’t want to be too hard on my players, it’s the kind of game we have to learn from, coach Gareth Southgate said. It’s obviously still very disappointing because we want to continue to be a top-level team in the world and we therefore have to win this kind of match. ».
The match took place in a three-quarters empty stadium due to a closed session imposed following racist incidents during the Euro in 2021. The Hungarian Federation had however used an article of the regulations of the UEFA to invite thousands of children (and their carers) to take their places in the stands.
READ ALSO. UEFA reduces sanctions on Hungary after racist and homophobic chants
The Hungarians tied with the English in the first half and created several clear chances through Szoboszlai (11), Zsolt Nagy (30) and Szalai (34).
Faced with a formation that had two new players at kick-off, West Ham striker Jarrod Bowen and Leicester left-back James Justin, they then upped their game (70% possession between the 46th and 60th minute) and logically opened the scoring on penalty, after a foul by Reece James on Zsolt Nagy. RB Leipzig midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai gave Jordan Pickford no chance (66th, 1-0).
In an atmosphere weighed down by the haunting sound of fog horns, the English reacted timidly and created three chances through Bowen (72), Coady (76th) and Kane (89th). Meanwhile, Hungary could have scored a second goal on an attempt by Kleinheisler, ideally placed (82nd).
England will have to show something else in Group 3 against Germany on Tuesday and then against Italy if they want to stay in League A.
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