Wolverhampton (Reuters)
Hungary inflicted a humiliating 4-0 defeat on host nation England to lead their group in the European Nations League, leaving the host nation undefeated in what they had hoped would be 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 tied with Italy last Saturday to give some young players a chance.
After one goal and two points from their first three Nations League games, England dominated the game early on at the Wolverhampton Wanderers stadium, almost opening the scoring when Jarrod Bowen headed in from close range without precision.
The hosts had few chances and the experience of some players backfired against the Hungarian team who defeated England in Budapest earlier this month and repeated their win in Wolverhampton.
“Tonight was a tough experience,” Southgate said after fans booed the team that reached last year’s European Championship final.
The visitors opened the scoring in the 16th minute when John Stones missed a header and landed the ball for Roland Chalay, who controlled the ball with his knee before passing Aaron Ramsdale and putting the ball into the net.
Shalay scored the second goal in the 70th minute with a shot outside his foot after Calvin Phillips failed to get the ball out.
Joyet Nagy put the ball over Ramsdale’s head and Daniel Gozdog scored the fourth goal with a long shot, giving Hungary a humiliating defeat to England, who played the game in Wolverhampton.
In addition to this disastrous evening, England defender Stones was shown a red card for finishing the last eight minutes of the ten-player game, and Southgate added that he relied on a young bench squad with excellent attacking skills, leaving his team in trouble. . exposed to danger after the game turned in the visitors’ favour.
“Ultimately it is my responsibility,” said the England coach. We couldn’t continue to count on our best players. But I think I have a lot to offer them. I understand the reaction of the fans in the stadium, I wouldn’t say it isn’t painful. We’ve seen that you need to be at your full potential. 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 get behind them,” added Southgate, who led England to the 2018 World Cup semi-finals in Russia.
This is the first home defeat for England by four goals or more since March 1928, when they lost 5-1 to Scotland. As well as the first time a host team has scored four goals against England since the Hungarians did it themselves in 1953, when they won 6-3.
