Swan Sigurdsson on the mark
A LATE own goal from Birkir Saevarsson saw Hungary snatch a draw and avoid an unexpected defeat against Iceland at Euro 2016.
Swansea City’s Gylfi Sigurdsson fired home a 40th-minute penalty to put Iceland on course for victory – and perhaps in sight of a place in the last 16 – in a tight Group F clash in Marseille.
But Hungary had dominated possession throughout against an Iceland side content to defend and the pressure finally told in the 88th minute as Saevarsson turned a Nemanja Nikolic cross into his own net.
That sparked jubilant celebrations in the crowd at the Stade Velodrome with fireworks, as has become common in the tournament, again being set off.
Hungary will feel the result was the least they deserved, although they found chances hard to come by.
Captain Balazs Dzsudzsak did have one chance in the early stages but his fierce shot from the edge of the area was blocked by Cardiff City’s Aron Gunnarsson and he later had another effort deflected for a corner.
Iceland went close when Jon Dadi Bodvarsson headed over and Sigurdsson might have hoped for a better outcome after whipping in a dangerous-looking ball.
Iceland came alive on the halfhour mark as Sigurdsson outmuscled Tamas Kadar to turn and shoot but Gabor Kiraly saved well with his feet.
Kiraly needed to stand up well again just moments later, but this time to redeem himself after playing Richard Guzmics into trouble.
Guzmics was forced into a rushed clearance from a poor Kiraly pass and Iceland intercepted. Kolbeinn Sigthorsson swept in but the goalkeeper turned his shot away for a corner.
The danger was not over, however, and Kiraly compounded his error by spilling the corner. The ball ran loose and Gunnarsson went down under a Kadar challenge. It was perhaps a harsh penalty but Sigurdsson made no mistake from the spot.
Iceland seemed content to sit on their lead in the second half, although Bodvarsson attempted the spectacular with an overhead kick that flew well wide.
Hungary were allowed to keep pushing forward but Iceland stayed deep and limited their opportunities.
Clear-cut chances were few and far between but Hungary’s pressure eventually bore fruit with 87 minutes on the clock.
Laszlo Kleinheisler released Nikolic and his cross into the middle was diverted in by a tired Saevarsson.
Iceland might have snatched the lead back in injury time but Sigursson fired a free-kick into the wall and veteran substitute Eidur Gudjohnsen put the rebound wide.