DUBLIN – Hungary’s 14-match unbeaten run came to an end in a 2-1 loss away to Ireland on Tuesday in their penultimate warm-up game before Euro 2024, but their manager Marco Rossi was more disappointed at how they conceded a late goal.
A Troy Parrott goal in added time gave Ireland an unexpected victory, after the home side had taken the lead through Adam Idah before Hungary levelled before halftime through Adam Lang.
“It is impossible to concede such a goal in the 92nd minute. We wanted to win, but if you can’t score the winning goal, you have to learn to keep the draw,” Rossi said.
Hungary’s last defeat came in September 2022, in a Nations League game against Italy, and they topped their Euros qualifying group, but the longest active unbeaten run of any European country came to an end against a side not involved in the European Championship.
“I don’t think the 14-game unbeaten situation made us more tense,” Rossi said.
“For the most part, we controlled the game, we played as planned, but don’t forget that there is an opponent on the pitch.
Hungary chased a late winner, but instead they were caught by an Irish counter-attack which Parrott finished off.
“We weren’t happy with the draw, we went forward in added time to win,” Rossi said.
“Ireland had two chances, yet we conceded two goals. You have to learn from defeat, because the fact is that every goal conceded is preceded by an error, but there is also a difference between mistake and error.”
Hungary have one more friendly before they go to the Euros, where they will take on hosts Germany along with Scotland and Switzerland, and Rossi will hope to see an improvement when they play Israel at home on Saturday.
“I’m not happy about the defeat and of course we talked a lot about the 14-game unbeaten streak, but I’ve always said we’re not at England or Germany’s level,” Rossi said. REUTERS