England held 1-1 by Hungary in match marred by crowd violence

Soccer – World Cup – UEFA Qualifiers – Group I – England v Hungary – Wembley Stadium, London, Britain – October 12, 2021 Hungary’s Attila Szalai in motion with England’s John Stones Motion Photographs by way of Reuters/Carl Recine

LONDON – England took one other, considerably faltering, step in the direction of 2022 World Cup qualification after they drew 1-1 with Hungary at Wembley on Tuesday and at the moment are three factors clear on the high of Group I with two matches remaining.

The sport was marred by combating within the stands between Hungary followers and baton-wielding police simply after kickoff, with riot police coming into the fray as visiting supporters pressured stewards and police again down a tunnel.

On the pitch, the guests went forward with a Roland Sallai penalty within the twenty fourth minute after England’s Luke Shaw caught a stooping Loci Nego within the head as he tried a clearance.

England equalised after 37 minutes when a Phil Foden free kick was flicked on by Tyrone Mings and the ball was turned in by John Stones from shut vary.

The centre again got here near a second when he headed a nook simply large after an hour whereas Harry Kane miskicked when properly positioned in entrance of aim – the captain’s final contribution earlier than being changed by Tammy Abraham for the final quarter-hour.

That, and different adjustments, didn’t swing the sport England’s means as Gareth Southgate’s experiment of taking part in Foden, Jack Grealish and Mason Mount collectively in a miniature midfield proved one thing of a failure.

Hungary have been definitely extra energetic and regarded extra motivated than after they have been swept apart 4-0 by England in Budapest final month and Southgate was fast to reward them, whereas accepting his personal aspect’s shortcomings.

Tactical drawback

“Hungary, full credit score to them. I assumed they triggered us a tactical drawback. We weren’t fluid and I didn’t suppose we performed on the degree that we have to play,” he stated.

“We’ll go away and take into consideration the stability of the crew slightly bit however I feel individually we will do higher as properly. We made a lot of easy errors with the ball. Collectively we didn’t play on the degree we have to.

“I feel proper throughout the board from the beginning we weren’t sharp with our play, gave the ball away. It’s the primary time for a very long time however we’ve to carry our arms as much as that.”

The outcome leaves England high of the group on 20 factors forward of Poland, who beat Albania (15 factors) 1-0 away in one other match hit by crowd hassle.

Euro 2020 runners-up England are nonetheless sturdy favorites to win the group by way of their remaining video games in opposition to Albania and San Marino subsequent month, however have left themselves with work to do.

Hungary, in fourth place on 11 factors, want a miracle to have an opportunity of snatching second place and a playoff berth.

Their complete squad and employees fashioned a centre circle huddle on the finish of the sport, then stood in entrance of their supporters – exhibiting their higher aspect after the disagreeable scenes two hours earlier – in a joint rendition of their nationwide anthem, celebrating collectively as if they’d gained the World Cup.

England’s gamers and many of the near-70,000 house followers had already passed by then however although few will lengthy bear in mind the match, it would show extra helpful in Southgate’s World Cup preparations than if it had been a routine victory.

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