Euro 2016: Group Results, Standings, Tables and Updated Schedule After Tuesday
Hungary shocked Austria to grab their first UEFA Euro 2016 win on Tuesday, taking the Group F lead after their 2-0 triumph.
Adam Szalai gave his team the lead in the second half, and Hungary easily defended their lead after star defender Aleksandar Dragovic was sent off for Austria. Substitute Zoltan Stieber put the final score on the board.
In Tuesday's other match, Iceland held Portugal to a 1-1 draw on their Euro debut. Nani gave the favourites the lead, but Birkir Bjarnason hit back early in the second half, and the Portuguese failed to find a late winner.
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Here's a look at the group standings:
| 1 | Hungary | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | +2 | 3 |
| 2 | Iceland | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 3 | Portugal | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 4 | Austria | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 0 |
For the full upcoming schedule, visit the tournament's official site.
Portugal 1-1 Iceland
Iceland started the match well, with star midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson testing goalkeeper Rui Patricio early, but as expected, the Portuguese soon took control of the ball.
The 2004 finalists moved the ball well and with lots of patience, and while they didn't create many chances initially, the threat of a goal was always there. Iceland goalkeeper Hannes Thor Halldorsson did well to keep out several dangerous crosses, and per Bleacher Report UK's Karl Matchett, he made a strong impression:
Cristiano Ronaldo wasn't particularly active during the first half, but when he switched gears, he was always dangerous. With one smart turn and a superb cross, he isolated Nani in front of goal, and only a superb save from Halldorsson stopped Portugal from taking the lead.
Ronaldo could have handed his team the lead after a smart run in behind the defence, but he completely fluffed his shot, missing a volley.
Nani powered two more headers over the bar before he finally got his goal after a lovely team move. Andre Gomes found space out wide before receiving the ball back, and he played a perfect pass into Nani, who easily slotted home.
The Daily Telegraph's James Ducker was impressed:
Portugal dropped the pace slightly after the opener, and while they remained in full control, chances became rare.
Ronaldo came close to doubling Portugal's lead just after half-time, firing a hard shot just wide, but it was Iceland who equalised out of nowhere. A defensive error saw Bjarnason left wide open inside the box, and he easily slotted a volley past Patricio.
The Daily Mirror's Ed Malyon loved it:
Portugal pushed forward once again, with Gomes testing Halldorsson with a curling shot and Nani going close after a mad scramble. Iceland also had their chances, as a cross from Bjarnason was only just intercepted by Patricio.
Pepe was lucky not to get sent off after kicking out at an Icelandic player, before Nani flicked on a cross just wide. Halldorsson continued his heroics to deny substitute Ricardo Quaresma, before saving a Ronaldo header from point-blank range with five minutes left to play.
On the other side of the pitch, Patricio had to be alert to deny Alfred Finnbogason, and Ronaldo had a final chance to give Portugal the win but powered a free-kick into the wall.
It's a fairytale start for Iceland, who impressed on their Euro debut. Portugal played well but lacked efficiency in the final third, but they're still on course to qualify for the next round.
Austria 0-2 Hungary
The Austrians were the favourites entering this contest after their dominant run through Euro 2016 qualifiers, but during the first half, they couldn't break down a stingy Hungary defence. Things started well, with David Alaba striking the post after just two minutes, but their early pressure quickly lessened.
Zoltan Gera and his Hungarian team-mates grew in confidence as the half wore on, but the best chances were for Austria, with Alaba testing veteran goalkeeper Gabor Kiraly with several shots.
As expected, the stopper, who became the oldest player ever to start a match at the European championships, stole the show during the first half. Fans couldn't stop talking about his track pants, a sight rarely seen on pitches these days. Copa90 joined in on the fun:
"Good half from Captain Sweatpants. #Kiraly #AUTHUN pic.twitter.com/0Fgs3s3FCy
— Copa90 (@Copa90) June 14, 2016"
Hungary qualified for Euro 2016 thanks to their remarkable defensive qualities, but the team flashed far more attacking intentions against Austria than they did in qualifying. The better chances fell to the favourites, but the match certainly wasn't one-way traffic.
Zlatko Junuzovic wanted a penalty after a physical duel with Attila Fiola, and Szalai had a good look on goal after a great cross from Balazs Dzsudzsak. Kiraly made a strong save to deny Zlatko Junuzovic, and Martin Harnik perhaps should have given his team the lead but completely fluffed his shot.
The score was still 0-0 entering half-time, and Bleacher Report UK explained why:
Austria kept prodding for an opener after the break, but Hungary mustered a handful of chances of their own, and Szalai finally broke the deadlock after 63 minutes, pushing the ball home from close range after a great team move.
Dragovic was sent off shortly after for a second bookable offence, cancelling out an equaliser from Martin Hinteregger in the process.
With the man advantage, Hungary were barely troubled, and Stieber doubled their lead inside the final 10 minutes with a perfect counter-attack. KICK TV's Heath Pearce was disappointed with the Austrians:
It's a superb and unexpected result for the Hungarians, who know they'll have a great chance of qualifying for the knockout stages if they can grab a result against Portugal or Iceland. Austria are in big trouble, and the match against Iceland becomes a must-win contest.
They'll also have to find a way to pick up some points against favourites Portugal or their Euro 2016 campaign may end a lot sooner than expected.
