Euro 2016 Report: Iceland 1 - 1 Hungary

 

Iceland had taken the lead in the first-half through a Gylfi Sigurdsson penalty and looked to be on course for a historic first ever major tournament win, having been bombarded by Hungary for much of the second-half. However, substitutions paid off for Magyars boss Bernd Storck as Nemanja Nikolic's cut-back – a 66th minute replacement for Zoltan Stieber – was cruelly turned into his own net by Iceland's Birkir Saevarsson three minutes from time.

 

While Hungary controlled much of the early play, it was Iceland who had the game's first chance in the ninth minute, Jon Dadi Bodvarsson heading a flick-on from a long throw over the bar. Five minutes later, Tamas Priskin missed a similar chance at the other end, heading wide from Balazs Dzsudzsak's cross.

 

Gabor Kiraly, the tracksuit bottom wearing 'keeper of cult fame, was keen to entertain, rolling the ball through his own legs to his full-back at one stage in the first-half. He demonstrated his importance to the side when he saved one-on-one with Johann Gudmundsson in the 31st minute.

 

Laszlo Kleinheisler then curled an effort wide before Ragnar Sigurdsson made a goal-saving challenge at the Icelandic backpost. Having gradually felt their way into the game Iceland found themselves with a golden opportunity to hit the front, winning a penalty in controversial circumstances in the 39th minute. Kiraly was also at fault in the build-up.

 

It began with the 40 year old 'keeper giving his full-back a short pass under pressure, with the Hungarian player being forced into a rushed, poor clearance. Iceland retrieved possession and attacked, with Sigthorsson getting into box and having a shot blocked to win his side a corner.

 

Though Gudmundsson's delivery was decent, Kiraly came to make a seemingly straight-forward catch. Yet in the crowd of bodies, the former Crystal Palace 'keeper dropped the ball. It bounced around and eventually fell to Iceland skipper Gunnarsson who went down, very softly, under a challenge from Tamas Kadar. The referee gave the penalty.

 

Gylfi Sigurdsson stepped up to fire home his 14th international goal – his sixth from the penalty spot – to give Iceland the lead going into the break. 

 

Once play resumed, Hungary upped the tempo and invaded the Iceland half, but they almost found themselves two-down in the 59th minute.

 

Sigthorsson ghosted in behind the defence and headed over when it seemed easier to score. Though it was flagged offside, replays showed the Iceland striker was actually on. Another potentially controversial decision was helpfully avoided by his miss.

 

After that, it was always one-way traffic as Hungary chased an equaliser. Their intent was shown when Storck introduced Nemanja Nikolic and Daniel Bode, top scorers in Poland and Hungary respectively last season. 

 

In the 72nd minute, Hungary thought they had an opening from Kleinheisler's corner. The initial cross didn't cause any problems but when it came back across from the left, Halldórsson looked like he would take it but got himself caught under the ball.

 

With no Hungarian player lurking, Ari Skúlason was able to clear to the relief of the Icelandic 'keeper. Pressure kept coming at Iceland, though, as Bode had his first shot of the game from range which dribbled into Halldórsson's hands, while the 'keeper needed to be alert to hold onto a dipping Dzsudzsak free-kick moments later.

 

In the 84th minute, Eider Gudjohnsen, 37 years old, came on for his first Iceland appearance at Euro 2016. The ovation was deafening. Chances are, though, the equaliser Hungary got three minutes later was twice as loud.

 

Hungary had been pressing and eventually Iceland's resistance broke, with substitute Nikolic pulling a ball back across the goalmouth, beyond the despairing dive of Halldórsson. Under pressure from an opposition player behind him, Birkir Saevarsson's sliding interception inside the six yard box spun into his own net.

 

It was no more than Hungary deserved, but there was still time for one more dramatic moment at the death as Adam Lang fouled Finnbogason on the very edge of the box. After much haranguing between Hungarians and the Icelanders trying to get into their wall, up stepped Sigurdsson.

 

Five minutes into stoppage time, when only four had been signalled initially, the Swansea midfielder tried to put the ball under the wall, but it struck it and rebounded to, of all people, Gudjohnsen. His shot was firm, but it was blocked and it went out for a corner that had no time to be taken. 

 

Iceland: Hannes Halldórsson; Birkir Saevarsson, Ragnar Sigurdsson, Kári Árnason, Ari Skúlason; Jóhann Berg Gudmundsson, Aron Gunnarsson (Emil Hallfredsson, 65), Gylfi Sigurdsson, Birkir Bjarnason; Kolbeinn Sigthorsson (Eidur Gudjohnsen, 84), Jon Dadi Bodvarsson (Alfred Finnbogason, 69).

Subs not used: Ingvar Jónsson (GK), Ogmundur Kristinsson (GK), Arnór Ingvi Traustason, Rúnar Már Sigurjónsson, Hordur Magnússon, Sverrir Ingi Ingason, Hjortur Hermannsson, Haukur Hauksson, Heimir Hallgrímsson, Theódór Elmar Bjarnason.

Bookings: J. Gudmundsson (42), A. Finnbogason (74), Birkir Saevarsson (77).

 

 

Hungary: Gabor Kiraly; Adam Lang, Richard Guzmics, Roland Juhasz (Adam Szalai, 85), Tamas Kadar; Laszlo Kleinheisler, Zoltan Gera, Adam Nagy; Zoltan Stieber (Nemanja Nikolic, 66), Tamas Priskin (Daniel Bode, 66), Balazs Dzsudzsak.

Subs not used: Denes Dibusz (GK), Peter Gulacsi (GK), Adam Pinter, Krisztian Nemeth, Gergo Lovrencsics, Mihaly Korhut, Attila Fiola, Akos Elek, Barnabas Bese.

Bookings: Tamas Kadar (81), Laszlo Kleinheisler (83), Adam Nagy (90+1).

 

 

Referee: Sergei Karasev (RUS).

Attendance: 60,842.

Extratime Man of the Match: Gylfi Sigurdsson (Iceland).