Hungary suffered a heartbreaking 2-1 defeat to Republic of Ireland, ending their incredible 15-match unbeaten run. The loss was a major blow to head coach Marco Rossi, who had been preparing his team for the Euro 2024 finals clash with Scotland.
The opening goal in the 35th minute was scored by Adam Idah, a Norwich City striker who had spent the season on loan at Celtic. A cross from Southampton midfielder Will Smallbone set up the goal, beating Hungarian goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi.
Five minutes later, Hungary managed to equalize with a deflected long-range shot from captain Dominik Szoboszlai. The ball was flicked on by RB Leipzig’s Willi Orban, allowing Omonia defender Adam Lang to score. Despite dominating play throughout the match, Hungary fell victim to a late breakaway goal from Tottenham Hotspur striker Troy Parrott in stoppage time, securing Ireland’s victory.
Rossi expressed his disappointment at not being able to secure a win, especially after having multiple chances to do so. He emphasized the team’s growth and development, acknowledging that they are still a work in progress compared to more established teams like England and Germany. Several players were missing from the squad due to injuries and club commitments, but Rossi remained optimistic about their upcoming match against Israel.
