Nations League: Dominik Szoboszlai free kick earns Hungary narrow win in Turkey

Dominik Szoboszlai's powerful long-distance free kick led Hungary to a 1-0 away victory over Turkey on Thursday in their opening Nations League fixture as the new tournament kicked off.

Dominik Szoboszlai's powerful long-distance free kick led Hungary to a 1-0 away victory over Turkey on Thursday in their opening Nations League fixture.

Szoboszlai's strike ricocheted in off the post in the 80th minute, leaving Turkey goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir with little chance, after the home side had raised their game in the second half following a poor start.

Playing without spectators in the central Turkish city of Sivas, Hungary created a series of goalscoring opportunities in the first half but failed to capitalise, with Roland Sallai and Filip Holender forcing early saves from Cakir.

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Szoboszlai hit the post with a shot from the edge of the area and had another effort blocked.

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Turkey began the second half much improved, with Burak Yilmaz having a great opportunity to put the hosts ahead in the 52nd minute when he was put through on goal, only for Hungary keeper Peter Gulasci to block his effort.

Turkey's Hakan Calhanoglu fired over the bar from the edge of the penalty area, but Hungary gradually reasserted themselves and hung on for victory after Szoboszlai's goal.

In the other League B Group 3 fixture, hosts Russia beat Serbia 3-1. Artem Dzyuba opened the scoring with a penalty in the 48th minute and Vyacheslav Karavayev doubled the lead in the 69th minute.

Aleksandar Mitrovic clawed a goal back for Serbia in the 78th minute, before Dzyuba sealed Russia's victory with a second goal.

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Turkey will play Serbia and Russia face Hungary on Sunday.

Group B4 is topped by Wales after their 1-0 win in Finland, as Bulgaria and Ireland drew 1-1.

In Group C3, Moldova played out a 1-1 draw with Kosovo, with Slovenia and Greece drawing 0-0 in the group's other game.

Group D1 ended its first round match with a 3-2 win for the Faroe Islands over fellow minnows Malta. Andorra and Latvia drew 0-0 to occupy the group's middle berths after one round.

Ukraine pulled off a slight upset when they defeated Switzerland 2+1 in Group A4 at home, as Germany conceded a late goal in a 1-1 draw with Spain.

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