London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Thursday, Jul 10, 2025

England begin Nations League with defeat in Hungary

England begin Nations League with defeat in Hungary

England's Nations League campaign got off to a losing start as a disappointing display brought a deserved defeat by Hungary in Budapest.

This international was billed as taking place behind closed doors as Uefa punishment for racist and homophobic behaviour by Hungary's fans during Euro 2020.

Dominik Szoboszlai (10) scored his sixth goal for Hungary


And yet it was played in front of a large crowd, consisting mainly of schoolchildren allowed in under Uefa rules - and the young supporters revelled in a poor England performance and Dominik Szoboszlai's winning goal from the penalty spot after Reece James fouled Zsolt Nagy.

The start of the game was overshadowed by loud jeering of England's players as they took the knee and what followed was a jaded, mediocre effort that carried all the hallmarks of the end of a long season.

West Ham's Jarrod Bowen worked hard on his debut but Leicester defender James Justin, also making his first appearance, suffered an injury and had to be replaced by Bukayo Saka - though the Arsenal man produced a rare England threat with a fine run and shot that Hungary keeper Peter Gulacsi saved with his legs.

England now move on to Munich, where they face Germany in their second Nations League A3 game on Tuesday.


England looking leggy


England went into this game on the back of a highly impressive, and lengthy, run of good form that saw them qualify for the World Cup in comfort, so this performance will come as a disappointment to manager Gareth Southgate.

They had not lost, other than to Italy on penalties in the Euro 2020 final at Wembley, since Belgium beat them in November 2020.

England cannot, however, have any complaints about this outcome, other than perhaps the concession of a rather soft penalty.

There are, of course, mitigating circumstances in that these competitive fixtures - although even seasoned internationals such as Belgium's Kevin de Bruyne argue they are little more than glorified friendlies - come at the end of a gruelling season for so many England players.

The visitors lacked spark and it was perhaps no surprise that the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold looked so jaded having figured in Liverpool's losing Champions League final against Real Madrid only a week ago.

What will concern Southgate was the sloppiness and lack of spark against a Hungary side who looked much fresher and more creative, especially Nagy, who won Szoboszlai's penalty, and Loic Nego.

Harry Kane, seeking his 50th England goal, sparked only fleetingly, although service was sparse, while Southgate's side lacked the energy and zip of their opponents.

There was a competitive edge to this game as far as Hungary and their fans were concerned and how they celebrated at the final whistle.

Southgate will have learned little from this but he would have hoped for better - and will need to get it in Munich if England are not to suffer a similar fate.


Surreal scenes in Budapest


This was meant to be a game played behind closed doors to punish Hungary and their fans for their behaviour at Euro 2020 and yet their victory was concluded amid joyous scenes and deafening roars at the final whistle.

Hungary invoked Uefa's Article 73 to invite children aged 14 and under to the game, who had to be accompanied by an adult.

It resulted in a large attendance, England's players being jeered when they took the knee before kick-off and then an almost festival atmosphere as Hungary's players went on a lap of honour.

As punishments go, this was allowed to become a celebration.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Severe Heatwave Claims 2,300 Lives Across Europe
NVIDIA Achieves Historic Milestone as First Company Valued at $4 Trillion
Declining Beer Consumption Signals Cultural Shift in Germany
Linda Yaccarino Steps Down as CEO of X After Two Years
US Imposes New Tariffs on Brazilian Exports Amid Political Tensions
Azerbaijan and Armenia are on the brink of a historic peace deal.
Emails Leaked: How Passenger Luggage Became a Side Income for Airport Workers
Polish MEP: “Dear Leftists - China is laughing at you, Russia is laughing, India is laughing”
BRICS Expands Membership with Indonesia and Ten New Partner Countries
Weinstein Victim’s Lawyer Says MeToo Movement Still Strong
U.S. Enacts Sweeping Tax and Spending Legislation Amid Trade Policy Shifts
Football Mourns as Diogo Jota and Brother André Silva Laid to Rest in Portugal
Labour Expected to Withdraw Support for Special Needs Funding Model
Leaked Audio Reveals Tory Aide Defending DEI Record
Elon Musk Founds a Party Following a Poll on X: "You Wanted It – You Got It!"
London Stock Exchange Faces Historic Low in Initial Public Offerings
A new online platform has emerged in the United Kingdom, specifically targeting Muslim men seeking virgin brides
Trump Celebrates Independence Day with B-2 Flyover and Signs Controversial Legislation
Boris Johnson Urges Conservatives to Ignore Farage
SNP Ordered to Update Single-Sex Space Guidance Within Days
Starmer Set to Reject Calls for Wealth Taxes
Stolen Century-Old Rolls-Royce Recovered After Hotel Theft
Macron Presses Starmer to Recognise Palestinian State
Labour Delayed Palestine Action Ban Over Riot Concerns
Swinney’s Tax Comments ‘Offensive to Scots’, Say Tories
High Street Retailers to Enforce Bans on Serial Shoplifters
Music Banned by Henry VIII to Be Performed After 500 Years
Steve Coogan Says Working Class Is Being ‘Ethnically Cleansed’
Home Office Admits Uncertainty Over Visa Overstayer Numbers
JD Vance Questions Mandelson Over Reform Party’s Rising Popularity
Macron to Receive Windsor Carriage Ride in Royal Gesture
Labour Accused of ‘Hammering’ Scots During First Year in Power
BBC Head of Music Stood Down Amid Bob Vylan Controversy
Corbyn Eyes Hard-Left Challenge to Starmer’s Leadership
London Tube Trains Suspended After Major Fire Erupts Nearby
Richard Kemp: I Felt Safer in Israel Under Attack Than in the UK
Cyclist Says Police Cited Human Rights Act for Riding No-Handed
China’s Central Bank Consults European Peers on Low-Rate Strategies
AI Raises Alarms Over Long-Term Job Security
Saudi Arabia Maintains Ties with Iran Despite Israel Conflict
Musk Battles to Protect Tesla Amid Trump Policy Threats
Air France-KLM Acquires Majority Stake in Scandinavian Airlines
UK Educators Sound Alarm on Declining Child Literacy
Shein Fined €40 Million in France Over Misleading Discounts
Brazil’s Lula Visits Kirchner During Argentina House Arrest
Trump Scores Legislative Win as House Passes Tax Reform Bill
Keir Starmer Faces Criticism After Rocky First Year in Power
DJI Launches Heavy-Duty Coaxial Quadcopter with 80 kg Lift Capacity
U.S. Senate Approves Major Legislation Dubbed the 'Big Beautiful Bill'
Largest Healthcare Fraud Takedown in U.S. History Announced by DOJ
×