Hungary Men's U17s edge past Iceland to win Euro group

Having defeated group favourites Portugal in their opening match on Saturday, Hungary took to the pitch in Dublin against Iceland knowing that victory, coupled with Russia failing to defeat Portugal, would see them through to the quarter-finals with a game to spare. Sándor Preisinger made four changes to Saturday’s team, Milán Horváth and Dávid László coming into defence, Saturday’s match winner Márk Kosznovszky earning a starting place in midfield and Rajmund Molnár picked in attack.

Hungary’s first attempt at goal came in the very first minute, Molnár trying his luck from the edge of the box but Adam Ingi Benediktsson saving. The more active of the two sides in the opening forty-five minutes, Preisinger’s side thwarted Iceland’s attack whilst creating chances at the other end. Sámuel Major almost opened the scoring after quarter of an hour, Benediktsson denying him in a one-on-one situation, and Ákos Zuigeber coming close with a free kick.

The goal eventually came in the 31st minute, Kosznovszky playing the ball into space in the right channel and Molnár firing home low into the left-corner of the net from an acute angle. Iceland became more adventurous after conceding but were unable to seriously threaten the Hungarian goal, Hungary also failing to convert chances of their own as they went in 1-0 up at half-time.

Zuigeber squandered a great opportunity to double Hungary’s lead just moments into the second half, firing over with the goal gaping, and Hungary were made to pay in the 48th minute as Mikael Egill Ellertsson ghosted into the box and fired past Krisztián Hegyi with his side’s first real effort on goal.

With Iceland emboldened by the goal, it took Hungary time to regroup, two chances falling to Zuigeber and another to Milán Horváth, but Botond Balogh was also called upon at the other end to make a saving challenge.

Preisinger made three substitutions in the 77th minute in order to freshen up his attack, Molnár, Zuigeber and Kosznovszky making way for Gergő Ominger, Szabolcs Szalay and György Komáromi. This move paid dividends in the last minute of regular time, Hungary – who by now were forcing the pace – being awarded a penalty for handball following a free kick, and 60th-minute substitute András Németh drilling the ball home confidently with what proved to be the winning goal.

The other match in the group, played later in the afternoon, was also good for Hungary, Portugal’s 2-1 victory over Russia meaning that Hungary qualify for the quarter-finals as group winners. The quarter-final match will be against the runners-up in Group D – which contains Spain, Germany, Italy and Austria – at Tolka Park next Monday. Hungary play their final group fixture on Friday against Russia who have already been eliminated.

Hungary 2-1 Iceland (HT: 1-0)

Goalscorers: Molnár (31’), Németh (90’ pen)

Hungary: Krisztián Hegyi – Gábor Buna (Donát Orosz, 90+6’), Botond Balogh, Milán Horváth, Dávid László – Márk Kosznovszky (Gergő Ominger, 77’), Patrik Posztobányi, Mihály Kata, Sámuel Major (András Németh, 60’) – Rajmund Molnár (Szabolcs Szalay, 77’), Ákos Zuigeber (György Komáromi, 77’)