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England 0-4 Hungary: Visitors earn historic win at Molineux

By Alex BysouthBBC Sport at Molineux

Last updated on .From the section Englandcomments7077

England 0-4 Hungary: A chastening experience - Southgate

England's dismal Nations League campaign continued as they slumped to their worst home defeat since 1928 against a ruthless Hungary to leave Gareth Southgate's side rooted to the bottom of Group A3.

The Three Lions have now gone four games without a victory for the first time since 2014 and look worryingly out of form and confidence with a World Cup looming at the end of this year.

They could do nothing but capitulate to a humiliating and potentially damaging defeat that had the crowd booing and baying for Southgate's job at the final whistle.

Roland Sallai put the visitors in front with a well-taken finish at the back post, then doubled Hungary's lead with his second on the break 20 minutes from time.

There was more to come from a rampant Hungary, as Zsolt Nagy fired in from range and - after John Stones was sent off to compound a woeful evening for the hosts - Daniel Gazdag finished smartly to wrap up a second historic win over England in 10 days.

Jarrod Bowen had earlier missed a decent chance at the back post from Reece James' cross and Harry Kane flicked a header against the bar, but the hosts once again lacked the belief and inventiveness to open up their opposition.

Hungary - who top a group that also includes Germany and Italy - were well organised and clinical to earn only their second win over the Three Lions on English soil and first since a famous 6-3 success at Wembley in 1953.

Three Lions slump to historic loss

The idea was the Three Lions would be buoyed by a packed and boisterous Molineux, after playing out a goalless draw against Italy in front of a couple of thousand schoolchildren on Saturday, but such is the brittle confidence in this England side at the moment that Hungary's opener knocked them off their stride and they never recovered.

Southgate made nine changes to the side that drew with Italy and England did start with some purpose when Reece James, from left-back, combined well with Kane before lofting a ball to the back post, where Bowen was unable to turn it in.

The West Ham forward should also have done better when England caught the visitors on the break after James had hooked off his own line to stop Hungary doubling their lead.

Substitute Phil Foden dragged an effort wide and Kane flicked a header against the crossbar, but the night belonged to Hungary as they showcased a clinical edge that England have been lacking throughout this international break.

What England have been throughout Southgate's tenure is solid at the back, not conceding more than once in 25 previous games before this one. But as Sallai pounced after Kalvin Phillips lost possession in midfield to double their lead, Nagy slammed in a third and Gazdag added a late fourth, that run was ruthlessly cut to pieces.

It brings a brutal end to a long campaign for these players, who will be grateful to take a break before pre-season begins with their clubs again in a few weeks.

But Southgate will be left to ponder this defeat knowing he has just two games left in September to arrest this slide before England head to the World Cup in Qatar, and also contend with the real possibility of relegation from the top tier of Nations League football.

Magical Rossi takes Hungary top

Marco Rossi has created a resilient and hard-to-beat Hungary side, as England discovered in the opening Nations League game - one who took a point off Germany last time out and sat second in the group before this encounter in Wolverhampton. 

But you have to go back to 1953 and the Magical Magyars' famous 6-3 victory at Wembley to find Hungary's only previous victory against the Three Lions on English soil, showing just what a monumental task the Italian is doing with this squad.

Having ground out a 1-0 win over England at the beginning of this international break, they showed that was no fluke with this resilient and clinical performance that delighted the 700 or so visiting fans at Molineux. 

While Southgate's job will come into question after this performance, Rossi's stock is surely only on the rise having built a Hungary side who have proved they can mix it with the world's best.

Player of the match

SallaiRoland Sallai

with an average of 8.67

England

  1. Squad number10Player nameBellingham
    Average rating

    3.10

  2. Squad number7Player nameBowen
    Average rating

    3.03

  3. Squad number21Player nameFoden
    Average rating

    3.03

  4. Squad number1Player nameRamsdale
    Average rating

    3.01

  5. Squad number8Player nameGallagher
    Average rating

    2.95

  6. Squad number3Player nameJames
    Average rating

    2.88

  7. Squad number9Player nameKane
    Average rating

    2.82

  8. Squad number4Player namePhillips
    Average rating

    2.63

  9. Squad number2Player nameWalker
    Average rating

    2.58

  10. Squad number6Player nameGuéhi
    Average rating

    2.58

  11. Squad number11Player nameSaka
    Average rating

    2.56

  12. Squad number20Player nameSterling
    Average rating

    2.55

  13. Squad number5Player nameStones
    Average rating

    2.39

  14. Squad number19Player nameMount
    Average rating

    2.35

  15. Squad number14Player nameMaguire
    Average rating

    2.26

Hungary

  1. Squad number20Player nameSallai
    Average rating

    8.67

  2. Squad number9Player nameSzalai
    Average rating

    8.35

  3. Squad number8Player nameNagy
    Average rating

    8.17

  4. Squad number19Player nameÁdám
    Average rating

    8.16

  5. Squad number10Player nameSzoboszlai
    Average rating

    8.15

  6. Squad number4Player nameSzalai
    Average rating

    8.14

  7. Squad number18Player nameNagy
    Average rating

    8.13

  8. Squad number16Player nameGazdag
    Average rating

    8.11

  9. Squad number7Player nameNégo
    Average rating

    8.06

  10. Squad number13Player nameSchäfer
    Average rating

    7.99

  11. Squad number5Player nameFiola
    Average rating

    7.94

  12. Squad number6Player nameOrbán
    Average rating

    7.93

  13. Squad number17Player nameStyles
    Average rating

    7.91

  14. Squad number2Player nameLang
    Average rating

    7.87

  15. Squad number1Player nameDibusz
    Average rating

    7.79

Line-ups

England

Formation 4-3-3

  • 1Ramsdale
  • 2WalkerBooked at 85mins
  • 5StonesBooked at 82mins
  • 6Guéhi
  • 3James
  • 8GallagherSubstituted forMountat 56'minutes
  • 4Phillips
  • 10BellinghamSubstituted forFodenat 68'minutes
  • 7BowenSubstituted forSterlingat 45'minutes
  • 9Kane
  • 11SakaSubstituted forMaguireat 85'minutes

Substitutes

  • 12Trippier
  • 13Pope
  • 14Maguire
  • 15Grealish
  • 16Coady
  • 17Ward-Prowse
  • 18Rice
  • 19Mount
  • 20Sterling
  • 21Foden
  • 22Pickford
  • 23Abraham

Hungary

Formation 3-4-2-1

  • 1Dibusz
  • 2Lang
  • 6Orbán
  • 4Szalai
  • 5Fiola
  • 13Schäfer
  • 17StylesSubstituted forNagyat 56'minutes
  • 18NagyBooked at 89mins
  • 20SallaiSubstituted forNégoat 78'minutes
  • 10SzoboszlaiSubstituted forGazdagat 56'minutes
  • 9SzalaiSubstituted forÁdámat 68'minutes

Substitutes

  • 3Kecskés
  • 7Négo
  • 8Nagy
  • 11Schön
  • 14Bolla
  • 15Kerkez
  • 16Gazdag
  • 19Ádám
  • 21Spandler
  • 22Szappanos
  • 23Vécsei
Referee:
Clément Turpin
Attendance:
28,839

Match Stats

Home TeamEnglandAway TeamHungary
Possession
Home69%
Away31%
Shots
Home10
Away6
Shots on Target
Home2
Away5
Corners
Home6
Away0
Fouls
Home13
Away11

Live Text

  1. Post update

    Match ends, England 0, Hungary 4.

  2. Full Time

    Second Half ends, England 0, Hungary 4.

  3. Post update

    Attempt missed. Mason Mount (England) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. Assisted by Kalvin Phillips following a corner.

  4. Post update

    Corner, England. Conceded by Willi Orban.

  5. Booking

    Bendegúz Bolla (Hungary) is shown the yellow card for excessive celebration.

  6. Booking

    Zsolt Nagy (Hungary) is shown the yellow card.

  7. Goal!

    Goal! England 0, Hungary 4. Dániel Gazdag (Hungary) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Ádám Nagy with a through ball following a fast break.

  8. Post update

    Kalvin Phillips (England) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  9. Post update

    Foul by Attila Fiola (Hungary).

  10. Booking

    Kyle Walker (England) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

  11. Post update

    Foul by Kyle Walker (England).

  12. Post update

    Loic Nego (Hungary) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

  13. Substitution

    Substitution, England. Harry Maguire replaces Bukayo Saka.

  14. Post update

    Attempt missed. Phil Foden (England) right footed shot from the right side of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Reece James.

  15. Dismissal

    Second yellow card to John Stones (England) for a bad foul.

  16. Post update

    Foul by John Stones (England).

  17. Post update

    Dániel Gazdag (Hungary) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  18. Goal!

    Goal! England 0, Hungary 3. Zsolt Nagy (Hungary) left footed shot from outside the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Martin Ádám.

  19. Post update

    Attempt blocked. Loic Nego (Hungary) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Ádám Nagy with a cross.

  20. Substitution

    Substitution, Hungary. Loic Nego replaces Roland Sallai.

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7077 comments

  • Comment posted by Ronnie, at 21:36 14 Jun 2022

    A huge wake up call that was long overdue. Southgate AND the players are just really not that good .

    • Reply posted by KevinD, at 21:38 14 Jun 2022

      KevinD replied:
      Players are good...Southgate isn't. Best players on bench...who does that?

  • Comment posted by Arch Stanton, at 21:37 14 Jun 2022

    Taxi for Gareth 'please leave by the' Southgate.

    • Reply posted by Humble Chelsea Fan, at 21:41 14 Jun 2022

      Humble Chelsea Fan replied:
      As a England fan, I'm disgusted by your comment. In all my years as a football and England fan, I've never seen a coach tactically better than Southgate and I think he's the best coach we ever have had. Back him and trust the process. We can still do this. We are England!

  • Comment posted by psychoarsenalysis, at 21:37 14 Jun 2022

    FA Poster boy GS is a poor manager, holding this team back massively, no creative spark. Does he even know his 1st 11 yet? In a World Cup year?

    Hungary manager schooling GS tactically is comical.

    Ref was poor BTW, not a 2nd yellow.

    • Reply posted by Cole, at 21:41 14 Jun 2022

      Cole replied:
      Not a second yellow, but honestly did it even matter at that point? Stones was so poor he wasn't really that missed, lost so many aerial duels, and we'd already lost the game. That being said it's still a ludicrous sending off.

  • Comment posted by pistol, at 21:37 14 Jun 2022

    Our runs in tournaments were masked by playing weak teams, Southgate was never a good manager, nothing on his CV as a winner, plays politics to keep his job.

    • Reply posted by markyc, at 21:46 14 Jun 2022

      markyc replied:
      Well said, he s dire

  • Comment posted by Lagavulin 16, at 21:37 14 Jun 2022

    Hungarian Horror!

    Fairplay to Hungary, they are better at football than at kneeling.

    England looks like the Norwich of the so called Elite League.

    • Reply posted by MtG, at 21:42 14 Jun 2022

      MtG replied:
      How does kneeling affect footballing ability exactly? I'm a little confused

  • Comment posted by JP-Julio-Eugenio-Cal, at 21:37 14 Jun 2022

    Absolutely brilliant, thank you Hungary.

    • Reply posted by Googly, at 21:41 14 Jun 2022

      Googly replied:
      Good. Hungary actually put some effort into that and played as a team.

      This group of England players have a terrible attitude. Self-important lightweights who believe their own hype. Who believe they are so good they can coast through matches and so important that they should involve themselves in politics.

      Why? Their job is football and they are rubbish at it.

  • Comment posted by Cole, at 21:37 14 Jun 2022

    Can we please get Southgate out now? And please none of these excuses about players being tired or this being an irrelevant tournament - this was humiliating, no England player should be able to get away with putting on the shirt, turning up and playing this absolute dross.

    • Reply posted by markyc, at 21:45 14 Jun 2022

      markyc replied:
      God awful, imagine if it was 5 or 6

  • Comment posted by Arthur Tirana, at 21:37 14 Jun 2022

    If Southgate is as decent a man as he appears to be, he should walk.

  • Comment posted by Ronin, at 21:37 14 Jun 2022

    I'm Scottish, so I'm away to Macdonalds to buy four big Mac's to celebrate. I'm really Hungary. Haha.

    • Reply posted by Marooned, at 21:41 14 Jun 2022

      Marooned replied:
      C u in Qatar.. oh wIt 🤡

  • Comment posted by MahaloNuiLoa, at 21:38 14 Jun 2022

    I’m not one of those calling for Southgate’s head but 0-3 down, 5 minutes to go and he sends on Maguire. I am totally at a loss to understand that decision.

    • Reply posted by D1693003635340, at 21:44 14 Jun 2022

      D1693003635340 replied:
      Brought Maguire on to keep it at 3-0 hahaha

  • Comment posted by Cole, at 21:36 14 Jun 2022

    He doesn't know what he's doing.

    • Reply posted by IP Freely, at 21:44 14 Jun 2022

      IP Freely replied:
      Better to get a bad spell out of the system now rather than in the World Cup.

      All teams have them at some point. Just look at Italy, they won the Euros last year and then constantly lost and didn't qualify for the World Cup. (Also lost badly today)

      Did they get rid of Mancini? No!

      Anyway, does this loss stop World Cup Qualification or Euro Qualification?

      No! So simmer down.

  • Comment posted by AVG, at 21:37 14 Jun 2022

    Southgate you’re a disgrace and have destroyed our beloved England football team. Your inadequacies were masked by lucky runs in the last World Cup and Euros. You’re ineptness in football management is on show for all to see. You pick players out of form and you clearly have your favourites even picking them to play in wrong positions - just go, your number is up.

    • Reply posted by should of would of could of, at 21:51 14 Jun 2022

      should of would of could of replied:
      Just imagine how much worse it would have been under Allardyce.

  • Comment posted by Winners And Sinners, at 21:36 14 Jun 2022

    England have been as flat as a week old opened coke, for several months now. If they don’t find a way out of this mess, the English boys will be back home well before the Christmas shopping season rush starts.

    • Reply posted by azza, at 21:41 14 Jun 2022

      azza replied:
      No point stopping the pl really just make teams play without their players that are still at the wc

  • Comment posted by bevc1603, at 21:38 14 Jun 2022

    Tonight's performance makes Graham Taylor look like an absolute genius. I wish I was Hungarian, they were awesome.

    • Reply posted by markyc, at 21:42 14 Jun 2022

      markyc replied:
      Yes, Hungary and Denmark two underrated teams

  • Comment posted by ColinandMagda, at 21:38 14 Jun 2022

    One word- Embarrassing

    • Reply posted by Edd74, at 21:40 14 Jun 2022

      Edd74 replied:
      Or amazing!!!???

  • Comment posted by RSc, at 21:37 14 Jun 2022

    Pathetic! Spineless! Lost for words what I have seen today.. We are just lucky to have made it to the world cup. Forget about winning it, based off current form we will not even make it out of the group stage.

    • Reply posted by JuliusCaesarWasASocialist, at 21:44 14 Jun 2022

      JuliusCaesarWasASocialist replied:
      Absolutely delightful result after the English comments all over the other home nations HYS this week.

      Hopefully watching your overrated rabble get comprehensively hammered by a 2-bob outfit will beat some humility into you.

      Can't wait for it all to happen again in Qatar. ABE

  • Comment posted by Commentier, at 21:38 14 Jun 2022

    England are leading the world on inclusivity, anti-racism, and equality. We have female presenters, female pundits. Male professional football players are now coming out and being supported.

    There’s so much to be positive about, so much to champion.

    Can we win a football match? No.

    • Reply posted by markyc, at 21:50 14 Jun 2022

      markyc replied:
      Being soft does not win matches, keep barmy ideology out

  • Comment posted by Budgie, at 21:37 14 Jun 2022

    Wow that was embarrassing!
    Anyone still think we are good just cos we luckily reached the Euros final?