2PHGGY2 BUDAPEST, HUNGARY - MARCH 27: Dominik Szoboszlai of Hungary reacts during the UEFA EURO 2024 qualifying round group B match between Hungary and Bulgaria at Puskas Arena on March 27, 2023 in Budapest, Hungary.

Dominik Szoboszlai gets assist as Milos Kerkez substituted before late goal

Dominik Szoboszlai set up a goal for Hungary as he played alongside Milos Kerkez against Ireland, while Wataru Endo featured for Japan in California.

Hungary were held to a 2-2 draw against by the Republic of Ireland, as Szoboszlai played 90 minutes in Dublin and Kerkez was withdrawn 10 minutes before the end.

Though it was just the first game of World Cup qualifying for the duo, there was already a sense of importance to the fixture given that Group F also includes Portugal and Armenia.

It took Hungary just two minutes to score at the Aviva Stadium, with Barnabas Vargas capitalising on a defence which had failed to push out quickly enough.

Roland Sallai, who plays for Galatasaray and will face Liverpool before the month is out, then scored the second just over 10 minutes later.

Milos Kerkez of Hungary (Photo by Joris Verwijst/BSR Agency) Credit: BSR Agency/Alamy Live News

Szoboszlai delivered the outswinging corner, which the tall attacker glanced on beautifully into the far corner with his head.

That would be the high point for Hungary, though, as Ireland then get on top, dominating and eventually finding a deserved 93rd-minute equaliser through striker Adam Idah, who has just moved from Celtic to Swansea.

In what was a generally disappointing showing by Hungary, Szoboszlai and Kerkez were two of the team’s better performers, rated at 7.6 and 7.2 out of 10 respectively by FotMob.

Next up for Hungary is another World Cup qualifier, Tuesday night’s home match against Portugal.

Wataru Endo, Japan. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Roberto Martinez’s Portugal side also played on Saturday evening, beating Armenia 5-0. Upon scoring his side’s third goal, Joao Cancelo remembered Diogo Jota by producing his video game celebration.

Elsewhere, Endo played 90 minutes for Japan, as he captained the team to a goalless draw in a friendly against Mexico.

Played at the Oakland Coliseum in California, Liverpool’s midfielder made six recoveries and was dribbled past just once in a solid display.

The match was balanced, if not exciting, with possession split down the middle and the most notable event coming in injury time when Cesar Montes was sent off for Mexico, who were booed off at full time.

Japan will remain in America and travel to Columbus, Ohio for their next friendly, with a game against Mauricio Pochettino’s USA team scheduled for 12.30am (BST) on Wednesday morning.

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