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Hungary vs Iceland a few quick thoughts

  • Iceland were minutes away from a historic first ever European Championship win but a Birkir Saevarsson Own Goal means that they had to make do with just a share of the points in this Group F encounter
  • In a game where Hungary dominated possession but failed to break down the Icelandic defence it was Iceland who went in front just before half time
  • Gabor Kiraly who was impressive in his showing against Austria in the opening game was erratic in his showing last night
  • It was he who needlessly fumbled a cross and with the ball loose in the box it created all kinds of confusion
  • Aron Gunnarsson was then sent to the ground by Janos Kadar inside the area and the referee awarded a spot kick
  • Maybe it was a soft one but Gunnarsson was presented with the opportunity to go to ground and he made the most of it
  • Swansea’s Gylfi Sigurdsson kept his cool to send Kiraly the wrong way from the spot and put Iceland 1-0 going into the break
  • The second half was much like the first with Hungary having the possession but failing to really do anything of note with it
  • That’s why the own goal just three minutes from time was incredibly cruel
  • It’s always gutting to concede a late goal but in these circumstances it is even worse
  • Birkir Mar Saevarsson turned Nemanja Nikolic’s cross into his own net to hand Hungary a point.
  • Heartbreak for Iceland and once again another dramatic late goal in the tournament
  • But there was nearly one final twist in the tale
  • Iceland were awarded a free kick and it looked the perfect range for Sigurdsson to curl it home
  • Unfortunately his effort came straight back off the wall but it then found the evergreen Eidur Gudjohnsen
  • He smashed the ball low and hard but it ended up agonisingly wide of the post after taking a touch off a sea of bodies
  • So the two sides have to make do with a share of the points
  • But Hungay top what is becoming the most unpredictable of groups
  • A draw for them against Portugal would assure them qualification, even defeat could still see them safe
  • As for Iceland it’s looking like they are now going to have to beat Austria to have any chance of making the Round of 16

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