Hungary Under 21s post draw and loss in latest Euro qualifiers

Hungary’s Under 21 team are third in their European Championship qualifying group after an away loss in Portugal and a home draw against an impressive Albania in the last week.

Portugal are traditionally very strong at this level and their team containing several players with UEFA Champions League experience were too much for Robert Kilin’s side in Penafiel, despite a spirited performance from the visitors who had several key players missing due to their presence in the full national-team squad. Portugal captain Bruno Fernandes opening the scoring in the 35th minute with a low shot from 22 metres and Hungary goalkeeper Gergely Nagy kept the scoreline at 1-0 going into the break with a superb save from Bruno’s 18-metre shot in the penultimate minute of the half. Roland Sallai came on for Dávid Forgács at the interval and brighten prospects for Hungary who suddenly started to play more in the opponent’s half, but Portugal still managed to stretch their lead with their first attack of the second period, the ball eventually ending up at Gonçalo Paciência’s feet after a neat passing move in the 56th minute for him to slip the ball into an empty net. Neither team threatened much thereafter so it was Portugal who emerged vitorious with a two-goal win.