Hungary Women show great spirit in narrow Iceland loss

Hungary were already out of the running for a European Championship play-off spot before the game, so Markó's squad, featuring 13 COVID-enforced changes since being originally named, were playing mainly for pride against an Iceland side which is traditionally far more experienced at the highest level and had all but secured qualification behind Sweden in this qualifying group.

Predictably, Iceland started on the front foot, Réka Szőcs in the home goal diverting a shot over her crossbar inthe 19th minute, but two minutes later the hosts aso threatened, a low Anna Csiki free-kick calling Iceland goalkeeper Sandra Sigurdardóttir into action at her near left post. Soon after, Fanni Vágó saw two shots blocked in quick succession but Iceland  looked dangerous  on the counter-attack, so half-time parity was probably fair on both teams. 

Iceland stepped up a gear in the second period, Szőcs soon being forced into making a tremendous save from an angled half-volley by Thorvaldsdóttir, but the visiting striker was not to be denied for long. The 28-year-old capitalised on indecision in the home defence to latch on to a loose ball and fire a rising, 64th-minute shot past Szőcs's outstretched right hand and into the Hungary goal.

Although both sides continued to attach with enthusiasm, stoic defences held out and there was no further changeto the scoreline. After all their recent difficulties though, Hungary will at least be glad to have given a positive performance in their final fixture of the current campaign.