HUNGARY have taken a shock point against favorites France in front of a home crowd in Budapest.
Unfancied Hungary led the Euro 2020 favourites and world champions for more than 20 minutes until the Les Blues stalwart rescued a point and spared his team’s blushes.
Follow ALL of the latest reaction below…
GOODBYE FROM BUDAPEST
That’s all from what has been an excellent opener to day nine of Euro 2020.
It’s now the turn of the reigning European champions, Portugal, who are in Munich to take on three-time winners Germany for an absolutely pivotal match in Group F.
And then it’s to Group E and Seville this evening, for a fixture featuring another European heavyweight, Spain, who find themselves up against Robert Lewandowski’s Poland.
Be sure to join us.
F’S GROUP OF DEATH
Today’s draw moves France to the top of Group F, and gets Hungary off the mark too.
All eyes turn to Munich now where Portugal are about to face Germany, a game that could leave this incredibly-competitive group with a very different look come full time.
MEN IN BLACK
If you had to list the best performances from English representatives at the European Championships so far, you’d only really have Kalvin Phillips and Emma Hayes in contention for challenging Michael Oliver and Anthony Taylor at the top.
Oliver was flawless in Budapest this afternoon while Taylor now has his first match since taking charge of the traumatic contestt between Denmark and Finland a week ago.
FULL TIME STATS
The French registered almost double the possession and passes of Hungary, and had three times as many attempts on goal, but couldn’t get the better of their opponents where it mattered.
KARIM’S WAIT GOES ON
It was another disappointing afternoon for Karim Benzema, who went 76 minutes without scoring before being replaced by Olivier Giroud.
The striker had two attempts during his time on the pitch, forcing Peter Gulacsi into an early save (which Antoine Griezmann should have scored on the follow-up) and then slicing wide after good work from Kylian Mbappe.
Benzema’s European Championship drought now stands at eight appearances and 30 shots.
RELIANT ROBIN
Bristol City midfielder Adam Nagy was absolutely brilliant on his 50th international appearance for Hungary, protecting his defence with a series of timely interventions.
It’s earned much praise from those back in the west country.
FT: HUNGARY 1-1 FRANCE
A brilliant game in a brilliant atmosphere at a brilliant venue. It may be two points dropped for the French, but for Hungary it’s a huge result. With better luck, they may well have had all three following Attila Fiola’s first half goal, but France stuck to their task and equalised through Antoine Griezmann. Both teams remain alive in the group of death.
PEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!
IT’S ALL OVER IN BUDAPEST!HUNGARY 1-1 FRANCE
90+5. Varane! Misses!
With the last act of the match, the French defender heads wide of the post from close range.
Lemar stepped an inviting cross up from the left, and as the Real Madrid man rose so too did the thousand of French fans behind that goal.
Time stands still as everybody watches the ball whistle just past the post.
The Hungarian players breathe a huge sigh of relief, and then celebrate when Michael Oliver’s whistle calls time on a thoroughly entertaining clash.
HUNGARY 1-1 FRANCE
90+4. The free-kick is curled in and it’s sheer panic in the box.
Gulacsi punches clear, ttwo Hungary defenders hit the deck, and Kimpembe appeals for a penalty.
There’s an anxious wait as VAR check on the claim, but the signal comes in that it’s over and Hungary prepare to celebrate…
HUNGARY 1-1 FRANCE
90+3. Kante uses his cunning to win a free-kick off Hungary hero Fiola.
It’s just in from the right corner flag, and may well provide the last chance of the game.
HUNGARY 1-1 FRANCE
90+1. French frustrations show themselves once again, but this time it’s from the fans behind Gulacsi’s goal rather than the players.
The Hungary goalkeeper takes his time with the goalkick, and it leads to a couple of bottles and other objects thrown in his direction.
HUNGARY 1-1 FRANCE
90. Four minutes of stoppage time are signalled just as Botka and Orban combine brilliantly to ease Mbappe out of play..
HUNGARY 1-1 FRANCE
89. France are camped in the Hungary half, and the Magyars have ten men behind the ball.
They suffered late heartbreak against Portugal, surely the French won’t make it a case of deja vu.
HUNGARY 1-1 FRANCE
87. Didier Deschamps makes another change, and it’s a strange one.
Thomas Lemar is the man, and going off is Ousmane Dembele, who was only introduced as a substitute himself in the 59th minute.
The Barcelona man offers a shrug of the shoulders as he departs, and then a grimaces as he rubs his thigh which would suggest another injury.
HUNGARY 1-1 FRANCE
86. Nagy gets another vital foot in to deny France creating space on the left.
The Bristol City man has been excellent in that role today in what is his 50th international appearance.
HUNGARY 1-1 FRANCE
84. Another Hungarian substitution introduces Gergo Lovrencsics to the action, in place of Laszlo Kleinheisler.
The 32-year-old usually operates on the right, and so it may mean a tweak of tactics in these final few minutes.
HUNGARY 1-1 FRANCE
82. Two more saves from Gulacsi.
The second is simple, comfortably diving upon Tolisso’s hopeful pea roller, but the first requires great reflexes to push out Mbappe’s blaster from close range.
HUNGARY 1-1 FRANCE
80. Another corner for France, another beautifully plucked from the air by Gulacsi.
The former Hereford, Tranmere and Hull stopper has been a steady pair of hands this afternoon.
HUNGARY 1-1 FRANCE
78. Hungary aren’t settling for a point here, and are looking for a way to catch the French out again on the break.
HUNGARY 1-1 FRANCE
76. And now a French double.
Paul Pogba and Karim Benzema come off, Corentin Tolisso and Olivier Giroud come on.
HUNGARY 1-1 FRANCE
75. The flurry of substitutions begin.
Hungary make their second change of the game which sees Tamas Cseri on for Andras Schafer.
HUNGARY 1-1 FRANCE
73. He didn’t have a great first half, but once again Antoine Griezmann has done the business for France.
I’ve heard he’s quite good at Football Manager too.
HUNGARY 1-1 FRANCE
72. Griezmann goes down just outside of the area, Michael Oliver plays the advantage, and Kante drives wide.
It’s a decision that leaves Pogba furious. He clearly fancied a pop at the free-kick rather watching his teammate shoot off-target.
HUNGARY 1-1 FRANCE
70. It’s time for another drink’s break.
Stick the kettle on.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
