Heartbreak for Iceland as late own goal puts Hungary on brink of last-16
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Updated 18/06/2016 at 18:52 GMT
Stade Velodrome, Marseille, Euro 2016 Group F - Iceland 1 (Sigurdsson 39 pen) Hungary 1 (Saevarsson og 88)
Hungary's players celebrate at the end of the Euro 2016 group F football match between Iceland and Hungary
Image credit: AFP
Birkir Saevarsson turned the ball into his own net to deny Iceland a huge win at Euro 2016, with a 1-1 draw instead putting Hungary on the brink of the last-16.
Iceland were heading for their first ever win at the European Championships after a first-half penalty from Gylfi Sigurdsson gave them the lead. Another late goal – the tournament’s 13th after the 87th minute so far – saved a point for Hungary however, as Saevarsson's cruel own-goal broke Icelandic hearts.
Iceland were gifted the perfect start when, just before half-time, referee Sergey Karasev pointed to the spot after Hungary goalkeeper Gabor Kiraly dropped a corner delivery before Tamas Kadar downed Aron Gunnarsson. Swansea star Sigurdsson made no mistake with a coolly taken penalty.
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Hungary's Gabor Kiraly fouls Iceland's Ragnar Sigurdsson resulting in a penalty
Image credit: Reuters
Hungary vastly improved in the second half and deserved at least a point. The equalising goal evaded them until three minutes before the end when substitute Nermanja Nikolic’s cross was bundled over the line by Iceland defender Saevarsson .
The draw means Hungary need only a point against Portugal to secure a place in the later stages of the tournament. Meanwhile, a draw could be enough for Iceland in their final group game with Austria.
TALKING POINT
Conceding such a late equaliser is so, so cruel on Iceland. A win would have virtually guaranteed their place in the last-16. The smallest nation in the tournament still have plenty to play for and you would not bet against Iceland progressing from this group. It would certainly be a remarkable achievement.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Balázs Dzsudzsák (Hungary): Caused Iceland all kinds of problems with his direct running and delivery.
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Hungary's midfielder Balazs Dzsudzsak (L) vies with Iceland's midfielder Birkir Bjarnason
Image credit: AFP
PLAYER RATINGS
Iceland: Halldórsson 5, Saevarsson 5, R Sigurdsson 7, Arnason 7, Skúlason 6, Gudmundsson 6, G Sigurdsson 7, Gunnarsson 6, Bjarnason 6, Sigthorsson 6, Bödvarsson 6. Subs: Finnbogason 6, Hallfredsson 6, Gudjohnsen N/A.
Hungary: Kiraly 4, Lang 6, Guzmics 6, Juhász 5, Kadar 6, Kleinheisler 5, Gera 5, Nagy 6, Stieber 6, Priskin 6, Dzsudzsák 7. Subs: Szalai N/A, Böde 6, Nikolic 6.
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Iceland's midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson (L) celebrates after scoring his team's first goal
Image credit: AFP
KEY MOMENTS
29’ - SAVE! Iceland should score - Gudmundsson shows tremendous strength to get onto the end of Gylfi Sigurdsson's pass but he can't find a way past Kiraly, who makes himself big and produces a great save.
33’ - CLOSE! Kleinheisle goes on a run, cuts into the penalty area but he can't find the target as his shot goes wide of the far post.
37’ - PENALTY TO ICELAND! Kiraly drops the corner delivery and then brings down Gunnarsson. The referee has no choice other than to point to the spot.
39’ - GOAL! Iceland 1-0 Hungary. The minnows Iceland have the lead! Gylfi Sigurdsson sends the Hungary goalkeeper the wrong way.
46’ - CLOSE! Kadar whips in a delicious cross, aimed for Priskin but Ragnar Sigurdsson does just enough to put off the Hungary forward who fails to make any contact.
71’ - WHOOPS! Dzsudzsak delivers a cross to the near post, Iceland's goalkeeper Halldorsson misses the ball, forcing Skulason to scramble it clear. Hungary have a corner.
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Iceland's Birkir Saevarsson scores an own goal and Hungary's first
Image credit: Reuters
88’ – GOAL! Iceland 1-1 Hungary. It's heart-breaking for Iceland who were minutes from their first ever win in the European Championships. Nikolic whips in a ball across the face of goal and Saevarsson can only turn it into his own net. 1-1.
90’+4 - WIDE! Sigurdsson strikes the wall with a free-kick, the rebound falls to Gudjohnsen but it's sent inches wide of the post.
KEY STATS
13 goals have been scored in the 87th minute or after at Euro2016 so far (28%).
Five of Gylfi Sigurdsson's last seven goals for Iceland have come from the penalty spot.
THE MATCH IN A TWEET
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