MX23RW : Saturday, April 27 10:43:02| >> :600:607222:607222:
[monks data]
Hungary national football team
European Championship | Group Stage
Jun 19, 2021 at 2pm UK
 
France national football team

Hungary
1 - 1
France

Fiola (45+2')
Botka (52')
FT(HT: 1-0)
Griezmann (66')
Pavard (10')

Hungary 1-1 France: World champions held in second Euro 2020 clash

Hungary 1-1 France: World champions held in second Euro 2020 clash
© Reuters
Antoine Griezmann's second-half finish cancelled out Attila Fiola's opener.

Antoine Griezmann rescued France as the world champions hit back to claim a draw against resilient Hungary in their second Euro 2020 outing.

Despite dominating for long periods in sweltering heat in Budapest, the French were stunned as Attila Fiola fired Hungary into a shock lead late in the first half at a raucous Puskas Arena.

Didier Deschamps' side responded to level through Griezmann after 66 minutes, but they were unable to force a winner and had to settle for a 1-1 draw.

It was a result Hungary, who fought hard against Portugal in their Group F opener before conceding three times late on, thoroughly deserved for a determined display.

It should also give them confidence going into their next game against Germany as they seek an unlikely place in the last 16.

France, boasting their feared front trio of Kylian Mbappe, Karim Benzema and Griezmann, controlled a lot of the play, however.

Their first moment of quality came in the 14th minute when Mbappe teed up Benzema outside the area and his strike was parried by Peter Gulacsi. The rebound should have been snaffled by Griezmann, but the striker fired straight at the former Liverpool goalkeeper.

Karim Benzema wasted a glorious chance for France in the first half
Karim Benzema wasted a glorious chance for France in the first half (Alex Pantling/AP).

Everton left-back Lucas Digne showed why he had been drafted into the side by picking out Mbappe with a superb cross, but the Paris St Germain star's header drifted narrowly wide of a post.

Hungary then suffered a blow as captain and striker Adam Szalai was forced off through injury after lengthy treatment. The game then lost some momentum as this stoppage was followed by a drinks break planned due to the heat.

France eventually got back into their stride and went close again when Mbappe flicked Griezmann's lofted pass into Benzema's path but he blasted wastefully wide.

Hungary's Attila Fiola celebrates scoring the opening goal
Hungary's Attila Fiola celebrates scoring the opening goal (Tibor Illyes/AP).

It was much against the run of play when Hungary caught France out to take a surprise lead in first-half injury time.

Fiola pushed forward to collect an Adam Nagy pass and then continued his run after playing a one-two with Roland Sallai. The 31-year-old proved too quick for Benjamin Pavard and beat Raphael Varane into the box to stroke past Hugo Lloris.

France returned for the second half with renewed vigour. Paul Pogba set a long-range effort narrowly wide and Ousmane Dembele made an immediate impression from the bench by striking a shot against the outside of the near post.

Antoine Griezmann, left, grabbed the equaliser for France
Antoine Griezmann, left, grabbed the equaliser for France (Tibor Illyes/AP).

Hungary eventually succumbed as Lloris launched a quick counter-attack with a long ball upfield. Mbappe raced after it and pulled the ball across the box. Willi Orban attempted to clear but Griezmann was quick to pounce and thump home the equaliser.

Hungary were not done and Sallai was unfortunate with a strike that was deflected and easily saved by Lloris, while Mbappe went close again for France with a shot that tested Gulacsi.

France hoped for a penalty in injury time after Presnel Kimpembe went down in the area, but nothing was given after a VAR check.

ID:451995: cacheID:451995:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:9082:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
France coach Didier Deschamps celebrates with Kylian Mbappe after the match on June 15, 2021
Read Next:
Didier Deschamps: 'Antoine Griezmann is one of the greatest players ever'
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS

Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Germany Germany00000
2 Hungary Hungary00000
3 Scotland flag Scotland00000
4 Switzerland Switzerland00000

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Albania national flag Albania00000
2 Croatia Croatia00000
3 Italy Italy00000
4 Spain Spain00000

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Denmark Denmark00000
2 England flag England00000
3 Serbia Serbia00000
4 Slovenia Slovenia00000

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Austria Austria00000
2 France France00000
3 Netherlands Netherlands00000
4 Poland Poland00000

Group E

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Belgium Belgium00000
2 Romania Romania00000
3 Slovakia Slovakia00000
4 Ukraine Ukraine00000

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Czech Republic Czech Republic00000
2 Georgia Georgia00000
3 Portugal Portugal00000
4 Turkey Turkey00000


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!