Introduction
On September 2, 2021, England faced off against Hungary in what was billed as the top match of the European Championship Qualifiers. The match took place at Puskás Aréna in Budapest, Hungary. Both teams were in Group I, with England leading the group and Hungary in third place. The match was highly anticipated as both teams had strong performances leading up to the match and were looking for a crucial win to advance to the next round.
First Half
The game began with both teams playing aggressively and creating several early opportunities. In the 25th minute, England broke through with a goal from Raheem Sterling, who was assisted by Harry Kane. Hungary attempted to respond with their own attacks but were unable to convert. England continued to dominate possession but were unable to capitalize on further opportunities, and the first half ended with a 1-0 lead for England.
Second Half
The second half began with Hungary coming out more aggressively in search of an equalizer. However, England's defense held firm and they continued to create chances of their own. In the 63rd minute, Hungary was dealt a blow as defender Willi Orban received his second yellow card of the game and was sent off. This gave England a numerical advantage and they took full advantage, with Harry Kane scoring in the 87th and 89th minute to seal the victory for England.
Controversy
The match was not without controversy. During the first half, Hungary fans were heard making racist chants towards England players, including Sterling and Jude Bellingham. The chants were condemned by both teams and by UEFA, who opened an investigation into the incident. Additionally, Hungary's players were seen pointing to a banner in support of the country's far-right prime minister Viktor Orban. The banner read "Anti-racism", but the context of its placement was criticized as a political statement.
Conclusion
Despite the controversy, England secured an important victory that solidified their position as Group I leaders. The win also extended their unbeaten run in World Cup qualifiers to over ten years. With only a few matches left in the qualifiers, England will be looking to build on this momentum and secure their spot in the 2022 World Cup.
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