The atmosphere was already buzzing in the Puskás Arena in Budapest when the goalkeepers of the Hungarian national football team started their warm-up just an hour before kick-off. The Hungarian-Serbian European Championship qualifier on Saturday evening was highly anticipated, with both teams expected to have 10 points - although the Serbs had scored in five matches, while the Hungarians had collected points in four. Hungary's national team captain Marco Rossi named two FTC footballers for the battle of the top two contenders for the European Championship qualification places, with Dénes Dibusz and Barnabás Varga starting and Endre Botka coming on as a substitute.

Fans prepared with a spectacular coreography

The away team started but we quickly took the initiative. At first, the red-shirted Hungarians had the ball, but soon the Serbs had the upper hand in possession. Dibusz Dénes had to save first in the 9th minute, Gudelj's effort was easily saved by our goalkeeper.

In the 15th minute our first scoring chance came at the end of a counterattack: Dominik Szoboszlai sprinted to the penalty area, passed to Loic Nego, who shot from 16 meters, but the opponent saved the corner. In the 21st minute, there was no way out, as Nego's pass from the wing was shot into the goal by Ferencváros striker Barnabás Varga, who was in excellent form and scored for the third time in his sixth appearance for the national team! (1-0)

Goal, joy - Barnabás Varga is unstoppable!

We were not to enjoy the lead for long as Pavlovic headed home a Serbian corner in the 33rd minute. (1-1) However, the Serbian happiness didn't last long either, as just one minute after the equaliser, Roland Sallai scored a great goal to make it 2-1!

The first half of the game did not contain any more important events, so the Hungarian team could go to the break with an advantage.

Marco Rossi made no changes at the break, leaving Dibusz and Varga on the pitch and Botka on the bench. The first serious situation turned into a goal, in the 50th minute a header and a close range shot by Mitrovics landed in the Hungarian goal, but the referee disallowed the goal as offside. Three minutes later, it was the same story, except that Mitrovic found the back of the net with a powerful shot, but the flag was raised again. It was still 2-1!

Rossi made his first substitution in the 62nd minute, first Bolla Bendegúz and then Zsolt Kalmár. In the 68th minute, Barnabás Varga threatened with a header from Attila Szalai's cross, but the Serbians were saved by the top post. In the 71st minute, the Serbs hit the post twice with their feet, and after the turnaround, Bolla had a chance to shoot on target but missed the goal.

Endre Botka could also come on for the final part of the match, but Barnabas Varga was substituted in the 84th minute - our striker tried to head in the 82nd minute before leaving, but the Serbian goalkeeper saved. In extra time, Dibusz Dénes had to brave a corner kick, but the result remained the same.

Hungary won 2-1 to top Group G of qualifying with 13 points from five games, ahead of Serbia on 10 points from six games.

The next game is on Tuesday 17 October when the national eleven visits Lithuania.