GREAT CHANCE! The first genuine opening of the way falls Iceland's way, as Gudmundsson plants his feet and out-muscles Kadar away with his body, before lashing a low shot that Kiraly parries! Almost everything for Hungary is running through Dzsudzsak, with the skipper leading another attack, flicking a pass into the area for Priskin, who wasn't on the same wavelength and goes in the opposite direction of the ball. Lang makes a concerted advance down the right-hand side, and flicks a clever pass to Dzsudzsak on that same flank, but his low, inswinging cross into the area is easily cleared away.
Hungary compared to Iceland - MyLifeElsewhere.com
He cuts inside and decides to have a whack, but doesn't wrap his foot around the ball enough, sending it the wrong side of the post. It's the other Sigurdsson, Ragnar, who makes an impact at the opposite end! He races to the back post to make a superb challenge on Priskin that cuts out what would have been a dangerous shot! Gylfi Sigurdsson has the ball at the top of the box, but Stieber is there for company, and sticks to the Swansea man well. However, he eventually shakes him off, but his shot is weak and doesn't even reach Kiraly.
Still no reason for him to be left that wide open, knowing the Nordic team's capability from aerial situations. Kleinheisler misses the target again as Hungary continue to probe dangerously in the final third. It's opening up a few decent gaps for Iceland to exploit on the counter-attack however. Well that's something you're not likely to see again. Bodvarsson attacks a high ball with an overhead kick that sails well into the stands. The type of flair that you almost never associate with Iceland.
He's already awarded two penalties in the Euros so far. For all of Hungary's possession and occasionally enterprising wing play, Halldorsson has not yet had a single save to make. Iceland, meanwhile, are playing with tons of momentum as the half draws to a close. J. Guðmundsson Yellow Card Gudmundsson sticks his hand out to challenge Kadar for the ball and clearly catches the left-back in the face. You simply can't do that at this level and expect to get away with it. Yellow card. It was a set-piece that was the undoing of Hungary there, and Iceland will want to keep looking to the skies whenever they attack.
Priskin releases Stieber down the left-hand side, and he cuts onto his left foot to deliver an in-swinging cross that is headed away wth authority. Iceland are being aggressive in the right ways to get rid of danger. Looks like both managers are preparing their first changes of the evening. It's so close at the moment, with Hungary pushing forward in numbers, but Iceland just about holding firm. OFFSIDE! A free header for Iceland inside the area is sent wide of the mark, but the linseman made the right call.
They have the aerial and physical edge on their opponents. G. Sigurðsson Penalty Goal LASHED IN! Gylfi Sigurdsson side-foots the ball into the bottom-left corner, with Kiraly diving the wrong way! The Iceland miracle continues as they've taken the lead! PENALTY TO ICELAND! Kiraly is at fault, and he looks to the referee for protection that never came. He flaps at a corner, and in his haste to get to the ball, he takes out Ragnar Sigurdsson, which leads to the spot-kick! A good tempo developing to this game as we creep towards the half-time break. Decent openings at both ends, and we may well see a goal before long. Gylfi Sigurdsson pings a clever pass to Sigthorsson, whose shot is blocked! Kleinheisler takes a corner for Hungary, which is sent right back at him.
Yellow card, which infuriates the full-back. Ragnar Sigurdsson runs right into Gera, but the referee, after awarding two Hungary free-kicks in a row, decides to blow in the opposite direction, calling a foul in favour of the Nordic outfit. Terrible free-kick from Kleinheisler, who tries a short lay-off to the top of the box, but it's telegraphed too easily and is intercepted. Hungary starting to run out of time as the clock edges towards the 80-minute mark. Saevarsson is the latest player booked for another grim foul. SAVED! Dzsudzsak takes charge of a free-kick from the edge of the area, and wraps his lef foot around it to send the ball on target, but Halldorsson positions himself well to make the catch.
E. Guðjohnsen K. Sigþórsson Sigborsson departs and on comes Eidur Gudjohnsen, the elder statesman of Icelandic football, and he hears it from the adoring crowd. Juhasz, the centre-back is hauled off for Szalai, the attacker, as Hungary throw their hand on the table. L. Kleinheisler Yellow Card Silly challenge from Kleinheisler, who is shown a yellow card. The second half has been played almost exclusively in the Icelandic half. Less than 10 minutes to go now and they are hanging on for dear life. What a massive result this will be for them! Finnbogason buys a free-kick off Kadar after going to ground under minimal contact.
And that will do it for now from State Velodrome, with Iceland holding a 1-0 lead thanks to Gylfi Sigurdsson's penalty. The Nordic side have been starved of possession but not of purpose, sticking to their gameplan and frustrating the living daylights out of Hungary. A lot to play for in the second half, so stay tuned. Iceland are up in arms after what appeared to be two clear challenges from Hungary to stop surges forward. The referee, however, has allowed play to go on.
DANGER AGAIN! Dzsudzsak takes a speculative free-kick from over 25 yards out, and it bounces right at Halldorsson, who spills it initially but smothers at the second attempt ahead of an attacker! First of two changes for Hungary, as Nikolics comes in for Stieber. Priskin is the next player to make way, and Bode will get around 23 minutes of action.
Iceland vs Hungary H2H for 14 January 2023 19:30 Handball