It was a meal to forget, as Hungary devoured a particularly aggressive Northern Ireland Side.
Tensions began almost immediately when Craig Cathcart receiving a red card for a horrendous challenge on the edge of the Northern Irish box. For starters Dzsudzsak stepped up to the plate and produced a sublime freekick which whizzed passed the keeper, and completely fooling the wall.
It was long before the main course was brought out, as Szoboszlai dribbled around every defender in sight before a sublime finish in the exact same spot Dzsudzsak placed his freekick. The Northern Irish defence seemed tentative as Szoboszlai danced passed them. Almost afraid to put in a tackle after Cathcart’s sending off. Whatever repercussions they were fearing before that goal went in certainly werent apparent after that goal.
Northern ireland made it there mission to ruin the dinner party. Foul after foul, yellow card after yellow card, manager Brian Walsh seemed to be almost encouraging that behavior. It was if Northern Ireland wasnt happy with the spread so they decided to tenderize some steak instead. They battered every player on the pitch with tackle after tackle, only recieing the odd yellow card here and there.
The tactic almost worked. If Jones hadnt of hit the post, or Magennis could of keeping his effort slightly down, we could of been staring at a completely different game. Thats not to say hungary didnt have there chances with Szalai cracking the post also. It honestly felt like the game could still swing either way.
That was until Northern Ireland seen red again. This time for a second bookable offence by Davis. A tackle which certainly did not need to happen. Brian Walsh had a wry smile on his face as did Hungarian manager Cian Kelly, as Cian knew he was about to get his just Dessarts.
Exploiting a gaping hole left by two sending offs, Holman cantered into an empty space before delectably placing the ball in the back of the net. The final whistle blew before this turned into a four course meal.
Hungary has cememted themselves in the next round, and have Netherlands to face next. While Austria and Northern Ireland will battle it out for second place in Group C.
