France had to dig deep to win a point at Puskas Arena against an inspired Hungary. The home side backed by their loving crowd fought with everything they had to hold the world champions 1-1.
Fiola put the hosts ahead to the delight of 60 thousand odd crowds at the Puskas Arena. Antoine Griezmann had to salvage a point for France midway through the second half. An unexpected result spices up the group of death. Hungary are still in the mix considering today’s result.
⏰ RESULT ⏰
🇭🇺 Fiola strikes just before break
🇫🇷 Griezmann nets second-half equaliser🤔 Who impressed you? #EURO2020
— UEFA Nations League (@EURO2024) June 19, 2021
A fully packed Puskas Arena welcomed world champions France. The mercury was shooting through the roof as a heatwave swept across Budapest. France expectedly started the game on the front foot. Their star players Kylian Mbappe and Karim Benzema were creating chances but failed to put it to bed.
The fourth official added 5 minutes of injury time owing to a cooling break taken midway through the half. Benjamin Pavard’s poor clearance gifted the ball to Sallai who knocked it to Attila Fiola. The left wing-back raced through on goal. He got on the goalside of Raphael Varane before slotting it past Hugo Lloris at his near post. The goal came against the run of flow but certainly deservedly for Hungary after their defeat to Portugal.
France came out determined in the second half. They had an urge and a purpose to draw level first then go for the winner. The equalizer came through a long clearance from Hugo Lloris. Hungary committed men forward and a quick long pass from Lloris carved them open. Kylian Mbappe hassled their last standing centre-backs before pulling the ball back for an onrushing Griezmann to equalise.
Hungary had a better second half but they couldn’t make it count. France did their best to steal all three points late in the game. A monumental defensive show and some wasteful passing didn’t let anything tangible happen.
Marco Rossi made a single change to his Hungary side that lost to Portugal. Loic Nego replaced Gergo Lovrencsics as the right wing-back. He trusted his favourite three-man defence to keep the dangerous French attack at bay. Also counterattacking was their only way of attack this evening.
Didier Deschamps felt relaxed at the prospect of facing Hungary. He rested Lucas Hernandez and tested the impressive Lucas Digne as the left-back. His France side was set up in a 4-1-2-1-2 on the paper. A diamond midfield was expected but in-game a usual 4-3-3 was seen.
FIND THE SHOOTING BOOTS
France met Germany in their first match. In a clash of heavyweights their star quality shone. An own goal from Mats Hummels won them the game. They were mixed in front of goal as Mbappe and Benzema scored two brilliant goals which were ruled out for offside. They took confidence into this game.
🇫🇷 Antoine Griezmann has now scored 38 goals for France in 93 games ⚽️#EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/jJo9qx6hFa
— UEFA Nations League (@EURO2024) June 19, 2021
France had a bright start to the game. They made their intentions clear as they kept attacking the Hungarian goal at regular intervals. Their midfield was creating chances. Mbappe headed wide from an inviting Lucas Digne cross. Mbappe was sparkling and created many chances but wasn’t able to finish them. Karim Benzema missed a volley from a lofted pass from Mbappe.
Woodwork! Almost an instant impact from substitute Ousmane Dembélé 😮#EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/5Ef3q6aPpB
— UEFA Nations League (@EURO2024) June 19, 2021
It took them a scrappy goal to equalise. The world champions need to up their game massively if they are to have a deeper run into the tournament.
A HEARTFUL PERFORMANCE FROM HUNGARY
Hungary were brilliant in the first game against Portugal. They defended compactly and attacked well but weren’t able to score. A 3-0 defeat at full-time was incredibly harsh on them. Their spirit and character were admired by many and they were encouraged to go again.
🇭🇺 When you score against the world champions…
🥳 Scenes in Budapest! #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/0OQwGFqsvu
— UEFA Nations League (@EURO2024) June 19, 2021
🇭🇺 Enjoy that? 😀#EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/DugEkq7AlD
— UEFA Nations League (@EURO2024) June 19, 2021
They picked up where they left off in the previous game. A stern defence covered passing channels and marked the French forwards out of the game. When they did find spaces in behind, Peter Gulacsi stood firm in goal. They defended patiently and waited for their turn to sucker-punch.
It came before the half-time whistle. Fiola, a long-term servant of the national team scored his second-ever goal for the national team. The crowd cheered them dearly. They were unfortunate to cling onto their lead. But the Hungarians would gladly take a point after this epic performance.
The Hungarian crowd could be credited with their team’s success. They put pressure on the French players. It could be clearly understood by the fact that France sometimes played simple passes into oblivion and kept over hitting easy crosses.
AN EXCITING FINAL MATCHDAY
The group of death was expected to provide surprising results. But this result even surprised the Hungarians. The home side were brilliant as they failed to submit to mighty France. France have made life difficult for themselves by wasting chances. The Comeback kings at Euros could only manage a point today.
🇫🇷 Sum up this France team in three words…#EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/mF9HZacPq6
— UEFA Nations League (@EURO2024) June 19, 2021
This means we have everything to play for on the final matchday. Of course, the game between Portugal and Germany late in the night will clarify some confusion. But no doubt we’re in for a cracker of a finale to the group.
France take on Portugal looking to avenge their loss at the 2016 Euro final. Two powerhouses go head to head and it might potentially decide who could top the group. Don’t rule out Hungary for a moment. They have punched above their weight. They’ll fancy themselves to do it one more time against Germany on the final matchday and make it to the playoffs.
