Hungary took the initiative in Euro 2016’s Group F with an inspired 2-0 win over a 10 man Austria at the Matmut Atlantique earlier tonight.
After David Alaba hit the post in the opening minute, an Austrian outfit stacked with talented players failed to connect in their opening game of the tournament, finding Bernd Storck’s side to be much more competitive than they probably expected. Hungary’s gameplan continuously frustrated their opposition, nullifying the towering striker Marc Janko and keeping the dangerous Alaba under wraps.
The hard work deservedly paid off on the hour mark, with some picturesque interplay between Adam Szalai and Laszlo Kleinheisler breaking through the defence and allowing the Hannover forward to slide the ball under the goalkeeper.
Austria did not seem to have an answer for the goal and their hopes were utterly derailed when Aleksandar Dragovic was sent-off for a recklessly late tackle inside his own offensive penalty area. The Nemzeti Tizenegy‘s first win on the major international stage in decades was sealed in the 87th minute with a razor sharp counter-attack, which saw substitute Zoltan Steiber finish with a perfect chip over Robert Almer.
Here are the best reactions to come from Twitter after the result:
Welcome Back Hungary, World Stage Missed you #EURO2016 #AUSHUN
— Abhraneel Sinha (@abhraneelsinha) June 14, 2016
Delighted to see Hungary win. Absolute #scenes at both goals. #AUSHUN
— Christopher Lindsay (@ChrisLindsay33) June 14, 2016
Impressive support #AUSHUN and what a stadium @MatmutAtl pic.twitter.com/X8KHzd7Hgs
— Ben Print (@PrintyBen) June 14, 2016
This is why football is the most beautifull game! #hungary #AUSHUn
— kilian maes (@KilianMaes) June 14, 2016
Dreadful, dreadful showing from Austria there. Didn't look like those dark-horse candidates I pictured at all #AUSHUN
— Gianni Verschueren (@ReverschPass) June 14, 2016
Big surprise! Invisible David Alaba #AUSHUN #Austria
— Bartosz Król (@bartokrol) June 14, 2016
#Dragovic did enough to deserve a Red Card. Was determined to get physical ! #AUSHUN #EURO2016
— Ved Prakash Pati (@vppati) June 14, 2016
Regretting all my Austria chat… 🇦🇹 #AUSHUN #EURO2016
— josie carter (@josiecarter_) June 14, 2016
You realize that #AUSHUN was much more than a football game, right? #Hungary kicked superior condescending neighbor #Austria out. #Euro2016
— Heidelberg Fan (@1899HoffenheimE) June 14, 2016
#EURO2016 #AUSHUN So the Hungarians beat their historical Austrian overlords. Sound familiar? Prepare for the return of the Magical Magyars!
— Tom Shannon (@TomShannon2) June 14, 2016
You gotta be a legend to wear wal mart sweatpants as a goalkeeper #AUT #AUSHUN
— Paolo DelPiccolo (@pdp03) June 14, 2016
#HUN keeper looks like something from a 5-a-side team. #trackyb's #AUSHUN
— Geoff Kay (@geoffasenna) June 14, 2016
if you can't score a 40 year old in pyjamas, I don't think you deserve to stay in the tournament #AUSHUN #EURO2016
— nene (@truenene) June 14, 2016
Yes Hungary! Great win and a 40 year old GK who wears joggers! #perfect #ballers #EURO2016 #AUSHUN #Hungary pic.twitter.com/Ppcj3oL9U0
— Helen Carver (@thecarv79) June 14, 2016
Massive win!#AUSHUN #EURO2016 pic.twitter.com/zzydOxQDAR
— John Cole (@Saint_Spitfire) June 14, 2016
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