Wolverhampton (Archyde.com)
Hungary inflicted a humiliating 4-0 defeat on hosts England to top their group in the European Nations League and leave the hosts’ run without wins in a tournament they had hoped would be a good preparation for the World Cup.
Gareth Southgate’s side, who suffered their worst home defeat in 94 years, made nine changes to the team that drew with Italy last Saturday to give some young players a chance.
After one goal and two points from their first three Nations League matches, England dominated the game early on at Wolverhampton Wanderers’ stadium and almost opened the scoring when Jarrod Bowen headed in from close range lacking precision.
The hosts had few chances, and the experience of some players backfired against the Hungarian team that beat England in Budapest earlier this month and repeated their victory in Wolverhampton.
“Tonight was a tough experience,” Southgate said, after fans booed the team that reached the final of last year’s European Championship.
The visitors opened the scoring in the 16th minute when John Stones missed a header to land the ball in front of Roland Chalay, who controlled it with his knee before passing Aaron Ramsdale and putting the ball into the net.
Shalay added the second goal in the 70th minute with a shot outside his foot, after Calvin Phillips failed to extract the ball.
Joyet Nagy put the ball over Ramsdale’s head and Daniel Gozdog added the fourth goal with a long-range shot, causing Hungary to inflict a humiliating defeat on England, who played the match in Wolverhampton.
In addition to this disastrous night, England defender Stones received a red card to complete the last eight minutes of the match with ten players, and Southgate added that he relied on a young squad of benches with outstanding attacking talents, which caused his team to be exposed to danger after the match turned in favor of the visitors.
“It’s my responsibility in the end,” the England coach said. We couldn’t keep counting on our best players. But I think I gave them a lot to offer. I understand the reaction of the fans in the stadium, I wouldn’t say it’s not painful. We have seen that you must be at your full power. It was an important experience for the young players through these matches.”
“These players are fantastic and have done a lot for the country, it’s important to stand with them,” added Southgate, who led England to the 2018 World Cup semi-finals in Russia.
This is the first defeat for England at home by four goals or more since March 1928, when they lost to Scotland 5-1. As well as the first time that a guest team scored four goals against England since the Hungarians themselves did it in 1953, when they won 6-3.