Mueez Ajao
– England’s Nations League campaign got off to a losing start as a disappointing display brought a deserved defeat by Hungary in Budapest.
– This international was billed as taking place behind closed doors as Uefa punishment for racist and homophobic behaviour by Hungary’s fans during Euro 2020.
– And yet it was played in front of a large crowd, consisting mainly of schoolchildren allowed in under Uefa rules – and the young supporters revelled in a poor England performance and Dominik Szoboszlai’s winning goal from the penalty spot after Reece James fouled Zsolt Nagy.
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– The start of the game was overshadowed by loud jeering of England’s players as they took the knee and what followed was a jaded, mediocre effort that carried all the hallmarks of the end of a long season.
– West Ham’s Jarrod Bowen worked hard on his debut but Leicester defender James Justin, also making his first appearance, suffered an injury and had to be replaced by Bukayo Saka – though the Arsenal man produced a rare England threat with a fine run and shot that Hungary keeper Peter Gulacsi saved with his legs.
– England now move on to Munich, where they face Germany in their second Nations League A3 game on Tuesday.
