Lacklustre England lose Nations League Opener

England’s first UEFA Nations League game ended in defeat at the Puskas Arena against a fearless Hungary side. As a punishment for racist abuse, Hungary had been ordered to play the match behind closed doors, but instead UEFA agreed to allow over 30,000 children to watch the game. Although there was a far from typical crowd in Budapest, there was still a cacophony of boos when the players took the knee.

Despite England having up to 70% of the ball in the opening stages, it was the hosts who had the best chances of the first half. The match began with a curling Kane attempt, before Conor Coady saved Pickford’s blushes at the other end with a brilliant goal-line clearance. Later in the half, Adam Szalai spotted Jordan Pickford off his line and tried an audacious lob. The England keeper was scrambling and was relieved to see the decent effort drift away from goal.

In the second half, Bukayo Saka’s low shot was saved well by Péter Gulácsi after a strong run down the left side. Many expected the game to spring into life, but England could only add to their pattern of poor decision making. Harry Kane squandered a great chance for England, playing Mason Mount onto his weaker side in an excellent three-on-two attacking situation.

Hungary broke the deadlock on 66 minutes after Reece James fouled Zsolt Nagy in the penalty area just minutes after coming on. The referee awarded Hungary a penalty instantly, though some may have considered it to have been a harsh decision. James’ poor first touch and clumsy challenge led to Dominik Szoboszlai powering his precise penalty past Pickford to give the hosts the lead.

Southgate’s side have it all to do to reach a level of football symptomatic of their previous knock-out campaigns

England’s lack of invention continued throughout the second half. Debutant Jarrod Bowen saw his cushioned volley saved comfortably by Gulácsi, before Coady’s header bounced agonisingly wide. Hungary had a golden opportunity to seal the game, but missed a sitter with 10 minutes to play. England did not look at all in the mood to make Hungary rue their missed chances.

Although Kane went close late on, Hungary remained resolute and saw out a hard-fought win. This is the first time that they have beaten England in 60 years and brings England’s 22-run game without defeat excluding the Euro Final loss on penalties to Italy — to an end. England’s excellent run would inevitably have ended somewhere, but few would have thought it would have come at the expense of a defeat to Hungary.

For many of the players, it seemed as if the constant and chaotic run of games this season had finally begun to take its toll on levels of fitness and concentration. The loss means that England sit bottom of Group I, with Italy and Germany drawing their clash later on. Southgate’s side have it all to do to reach a level of football symptomatic of their previous knock-out campaigns.