Friday 19 / April / 2024
Muscat: Hungary got off the mark in UEFA EURO 2020 Group F as they worked hard to hold France in Budapest.
The finals co-hosts led at half-time through Attila Fiola but Les Bleus hit back via Antoine Griezmann to move on to four points ahead of their group finale against Portugal, where they may well require a point.
Hungary must beat Germany in Munich on Wednesday to have a chance of a round of 16 berth.
Match in brief
Hungary began the brighter but France were soon into their stride. Péter Gulácsi did well to deny Karim Benzema from distance and shortly afterwards Kylian Mbappé headed just off target.
The Hungary captain Ádám Szalai was forced off injured midway through the first half and the world champions kept pushing, Griezmann and Mbappé combining to set up Benzema, who half-volleyed wide.
France continued to press despite that setback and just prior to the hour Ousmane Dembélé, only just introduced, smashed an effort against the post. The equaliser arrived shortly afterwards, a long Lloris clearance finding Mbappé, who worked the ball back via a Willi Orbán deflection for Griezmann to smash in. France now sensed the victory that would take them through with a game to spare, but Gulácsi bravely denied Mbappé and Varane nodded wide with the final touch.
