Hungary Upsets England in UEFA Nations League Opening Match in Budapest

• Hungary stunned England in the opening match of the UEFA Nations League A Group 3 encounter at the Puskas Stadium in Budapest
• Dominik Szoboszlai's 66th-minute penalty was the difference between in what was a cagey affair
• The result was a blow for the English, as their campaign will get harder in a group also involving Germany and Italy

England slumped to their first defeat against Hungary in 60 years on Saturday as the hosts earned a shock 1-0 win in Budapest to launch their Nations League campaign.

Dominik Szoboszlai scored the only goal from the penalty spot as Hungary celebrated their first victory over England since 1962.

As reported by Sport24, defeat on penalties to Italy in the Euro 2020 final was the only time Gareth Southgate's side had been beaten in their previous 22 games. However, an experimental side failed to trouble the hosts, who were roared on by a 30,000 crowd largely consisting of school children.

Super Eagles star Alex Iwobi reacts as Mexico defeat Nigeria in friendly match in United States

Football

Hungary were forced to play the game behind closed doors due to the behaviour of fans during their home matches at Euro 2020, as per AFP. UEFA guidelines allow children under the age of 14 to be given free tickets under such circumstances and the Hungarian Football Federation took full advantage.

Southgate handed senior debuts to Jarrod Bowen and James Justin, but the visitors never got going. Hungary created the better of the chances, Szoboszlai seeing an effort cleared off the line by Conor Coady and captain Adam Szalai's ambitious effort from just inside the England half dropping just wide after he spotted Jordan Pickford off his line.

The home side's pressure paid off when they were awarded a penalty on 64 minutes as substitute Reece James was adjudged to have fouled Zsolt Nagy after the Hungarian left-back controlled a pass in the area. James was booked as RB Leipzig forward Szoboszlai made no mistake from the spot to put the hosts ahead.

Saint Etienne fans throw flares and explosives at their players after the team is relegated from Ligue 1

Football

Harry Kane nearly salvaged a point in stoppage time but was inches away from his 50th international goal as his powerful effort flew into the side-netting. Southgate's men now have to raise themselves for a trip to Germany on Tuesday before hosting Italy and Hungary later this month.

Controversy ahead of England's Nations League tie as Hungary resorts to dodgy tactic to get around UEFA ban

The stakes for tonight's UEFA Nations League A Group 3 encounter between Hungary and England at the Puskas Stadium just got higher.

As reported by Sports Brief, the nations were involved in a nasty 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying encounter at the same venue last year that the Three Lions won 4-0. England players were racially abused by Hungarian supporters, having been booed by them at the beginning of the match for taking the knee.

The Hungarian was fined by FIFA, while also being ordered to play their next world cup qualifier behind closed doors.