Georgia 0-2 Hungary: Szoboszlai sets up both as Hungary go top

Hungary beat Georgia 2-0 in UEFA Nations League League B Group 2 in Tbilisi on Saturday to move top of the group with one round left. A Lasha Dvali own goal in the 73rd minute and a Barnabás Varga strike five minutes from time decided it, according to UEFA's official match centre, which recorded a crowd of 19,187 at the Mikheil Meskhi Stadium.

Match facts

• Result: Georgia 0-2 Hungary (half-time 0-0)
• Competition: UEFA Nations League B, Group 2, Matchday 5
• Venue: Mikheil Meskhi Stadium, Tbilisi
• Scorers: Hungary - Dvali 73' (own goal), Varga 85'
• Yellow cards: Orbán 19', Vitális 52' (Hungary); Tsitaishvili 60' (Georgia)
• Referee: Ondřej Berka (Czechia)
• Head coaches: Ramaz Svanadze (Georgia), Marco Rossi (Hungary)
• Next: Hungary v Northern Ireland, Tuesday 17 November, Puskás Aréna, Budapest; Ukraine v Georgia, Tuesday 17 November, Košice

How the match unfolded

Georgia started faster. Nemzeti Sport and nb1.hu both reported that Hungary goalkeeper Balázs Tóth had to make a save inside the first minute. Just before half-time Luka Lochoshvili had the ball in the net, but the goal was ruled out for offside, and Giorgi Kvernadze headed over from close range. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was not in Georgia's matchday squad, according to UEFA's official line-ups.

Hungary took control in the second half. Dominik Szoboszlai's corners caused problems, and in the 73rd minute Roland Sallai's header from one of them deflected off Dvali's shoulder and into the net. Hungarian outlets Nemzeti Sport and nb1.hu both credited Szoboszlai with the assist. Georgia pushed for an equaliser, but Hungary sealed it on the break in the 85th minute. According to nb1.hu, Sallai sent Szoboszlai clear and the Hungary captain crossed for Varga to score on his return from injury.

Rossi gave debuts to substitutes Milán Pető and Ákos Szendrei late on, and Georgia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili saved from Szendrei to keep the score at 2-0.

What does the result mean for Hungary?

UEFA's standings at the time of writing, before Northern Ireland's later game against Ukraine, showed Hungary top of Group B2 on 10 points from five games. Northern Ireland had eight points from four games, Ukraine four from four and Georgia two from five. Georgia are still without a goal in the group.

nb1.hu reported that this was Hungary's first ever win in Georgia and their third Nations League win in a row. There was a cost, though. Both Nemzeti Sport and nb1.hu said the yellow cards for Willi Orbán and Milán Vitális rule them out of Tuesday's final game through suspension.

Saturday's other Nations League results included Norway 3-1 Wales in League A and Kosovo 0-0 Israel in League B.

What happens next?

Hungary host Northern Ireland at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest on Tuesday 17 November, with the group title and promotion at stake, while Georgia visit Ukraine in Košice. Both games kick off at 19:45 UK.

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