A highly rated Belgium side meets a Hungary team that has defied expectation in reaching the knockout stages.
Just three years after capitulating 8-1 to the Netherlands in 2014 World Cup qualification, a resurgent Hungary sealed passage to the round of 16 with a 3-3 draw against Portugal on Thursday morning. In their first major tournament since 1986, Bernd Storck’s team upset Austria in their opening fixture, and split the points with Iceland, finishing on top of Group F.
Marc Wilmots’ men suffered a shock defeat to Italy in Lyon, conceding goals to Emanuele Giaccherini and Graziano Pelle, before bouncing back in resounding fashion with a 3-0 win over Ireland. Needing at least a point against Sweden in light of Ireland’s win over Italy, a late Radja Nainggolan screamer ensured Belgium went through to the knockout stages.
On the opposite side of the draw to heavyweights England, Germany, Italy, Spain and hosts France, Belgium’s road to the semi-finals looks relatively comfortable, but they are unlikely to be complacent against a determined Hungary team. Expect a disciplined performance.
Key Battle – Romelu Lukaku vs Roland Juhasz
Wasteful in the Red Devils’ opening fixture against Italy, Lukaku chalked up two goals in a second-half demolition of Ireland and was unlucky not to add another in the final group stage game against Sweden.
With Adam Lang deputising for the injured Attila Fiola, Juhasz has partnered with Richard Guzmics in a surprisingly solid Hungarian back four. With bookings not set to expire until the completion of the quarter-finals, both central defenders are only one card away from a suspension, but in the knockout stage their respective approaches are not likely to change.
Former teammates at Anderlecht, the duel between Lukaku and Juhasz could well decide the match. If the Everton striker can make the most of the opportunities afforded by Kevin De Bruyne and Eden Hazard, the Red Devils should progress onward. If Juhasz and Guzmics can replicate the discipline of their performances against Austria and Iceland though, Hungary’s fairytale may not be over.
Team News
Nemzeti Tizenegy are unlikely to shake up the team that has carried them to the round of 16. A less than polished defensive performance against Portugal may be cause for concern, but robust efforts against Austria and Iceland will have Storck confident in his side’s ability to contain Belgium. Fiola is set to miss again, with Adam Lang likely to continue at right-back.
For Belgium, Nainggolan is likely to edge out Marouane Fellaini for a place in the midfield, having scored the winner against Sweden. Wilmots will be loath to alter his side’s 4-2-3-1 formation following a strong finish to the group stage.
Head-to-head
The nations have met on 12 previous occasions, with eight wins for Belgium, two for Hungary and two draws.
Previous Meeting
A friendly fixture in 2009 saw Belgium prevail 3-0 in Ghent, with goals to Kevin Mirallas, Marouane Fellaini and Thomas Vermaelen.
Prediction
A repeat of the performance against Portugal is unlikely to take Hungary to the quarter-finals. Bernd Storck’s defenders will need to be at their disciplined best to contain Belgium’s forwards, who are in form and ready to punish critical errors.
However, if Lukaku does not fire and the Red Devils cannot find goals from the midfield, it may only take an opportunistic strike from Zoltan Gera or Adam Szalai to stun Wilmots’ more fancied team.
An upset is not beyond reach for Hungary, but Belgium’s defensive fortitude and offensive fluency will see them go in as rightful favourites.
Belgium 2 Hungary 1
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