Euro 2016: Hungary overcome Austria in winning return after 44 years

Hungary upset the form book to beat neighbours Austria 2-0 in their first European Championship match since 1972, kick starting their campaign with an impressive display.

Picked as dark horses by many before the tournament, Austria struggled to find their groove throughout and fell behind in the second half when Adam Szalai slotted a finish beneath goalkeeper Robert Almer.

Things went from bad to worse just moments later when Aleksandar Dragovic received a second yellow card, reducing Marcel Koller’s side to 10 men. From then on Austria were second best as Hungary pressed for a second goal to finally kill the game.

And they found that second goal late on as Zoltan Stieber surged forward on the counter-attack, completely unmarked, to chip a neat finish over the keeper and into the net. Little was expected of Hungary, but they executed their game plan perfectly in Bordeaux.

Austria were billed as potential dark horses this summer, coming into the tournament having won their last nine competitive fixtures, rising to as high as 10th in the world rankings. But in their group opener they struggled to get going, with Marc Jako particularly disappointing as the focal point of their attack. Now Austria face tough games against Portugal and Iceland, from which they must get something to stick on the board.

Austria stars David Alaba and Marko Arnautovic were expected to be the ones to watch in Bordeaux, but it was Kleinheisler in the centre of the Hungarian midfield who made the biggest difference. He provided the drive needed to push his side to an impressive 2-0 win, dominating Alaba for much of the contest. He was exceptional.

Austria - Almer 7, Klein 6, Dragovic 4, Hinteregger 5, Fuchs 5, Baumgartlinger 6, Alaba 7, Harnik 5, Junozovic 6, Arnautovic 6, Jako 5. Subs - Sabitzer 5, Okotie 5.

Hungary - Kiraly 7, Fiola 6, Guzmics 5, Lang 6, Kadar 6, Gera 6, Nagy 6, Dzsudzsak 7, Kleinheisler 8, Nemeth 7, Szalai 7. Subs: Priskin 5.

1’ ALABA HITS THE POST! The Bayern Munich man beats Kiraly and cracks the bottom of the right post within 31 seconds!

37’ SHOULD HAVE DONE BETTER! Dzszudzsak whips a wicked freekick delivery into the box, but Szalai completely misjudges his header and the ball bounces harmlessly wide. That was a chance!

44’ HUGE CHANCE FOR AUSTRIA! Arnautovic's flick frees up some real space down the left flank, but his pass to the back post is slightly too strong and Harnik can't sort out his feet in time!

45’ DZSUDZSAK SHOULD HAVE DONE BETTER! The Hungarian attacker is threaded in on goal, but from a tight angle he drags his shot wide of the far post. That was a great chance!

62’ GOAL! Austria 0 Hungary 1: Hungary have taken the lead! Some neat play around the box slots Szalai through on goal and the striker squeezes his finish underneath the goalkeeper and into the net.

68’ RED CARD! THINGS GO FROM BAD TO WORSE FOR AUSTRIA! They thought they had equalised, but their goal was chalked off for a foul and then Dragovic is shown a second yellow for a foul on Fiola.

85’ WASTEFUL! Alaba worked the shooting opportunity on the edge of the opposition penalty area, but his shot is wide and high. Although it did receive the slightest of deflections.

87’ GOAL! Austria 0 Hungary 2: And that will secure the three points! Hungary burst forward on the counter attack with Stieber steaming through on goal. And he dinks his finish over the keeper to make it 2-0.

Hungary claimed their first win at a major tournament in 30 years by beating Austria.

Adam Szalai scored his first goal in 41 appearances by scoring for Hungary in Bordeaux.

Hungary have never lost when Szalai has scored (eight goals, six games).