Hungary welcome Norway to Budapest for the decisive second leg of their Euro 2016 playoff on Monday, with the hosts holding a slender 1-0 lead from the first match. It was a smash-and-grab raid from the Hungarians, who went into the lead midway through the first half and clung on for dear life all the way to the final whistle. Norway finished the game having taken almost four times as many shots as Hungary and had almost had two-thirds of the possession, but a masterful performance from goalkeeper Gábor Király kept them at bay.
Hungary vs. Norway live stream: Time, TV schedule and how to watch Euro 2016 qualifying online
Hungary hold a slender advantage heading into the decisive second leg of their Euro 2016 playoff against Norway.
Charles McQuillan/Getty Images
It'll be interesting to see how Hungary set up for the second leg. Their home crowd will surely want to see them play a little more proactively, but pragmatism may well triumph if they believe they can keep the Norwegians out with another 90 minutes of parking the bus. If they do hang on, Hungary will reach their first major tournament since 1986, and first European Championship since 1972. In contrast, Norway's one and only appearance at the Euros came in 2000.
Key player: Gábor Király (Hungary)
Gábor Király is something of a legendary journeyman of English football, with the Hungarian goalkeeper having had his longest stint at Crystal Palace, but also played for Aston Villa, Burnley and Fulham. He’s most famous for his wearing grey tracksuit bottoms instead of the more customary shorts, though reminded us in the first leg that he deserves to be remembered for more than just unusual attire. A man of the match display saw him make numerous saves to keep Norway from equalizing, and he’ll have to be similarly good on home soil.
Recent history
The first leg marked Hungary's first win over Norway since a World Cup qualifier in 1981. The Scandinavian outfit have dominated the intervening period, winning four of their seven meetings and drawing the three others. Hungary will doubtless be hoping that they've finally broken the Norway hoodoo, as they bid to seize the ascendancy for the first time in over three decades.
Match date/time: Sun., Nov. 15, 2:45 p.m. ET, 8:45 p.m. local
Venue: Groupama Arena, Budapest, Hungary
TV: ESPN (US - English); ESPN Deportes (US - Spanish); Sportsnet One (Canada); Sky Sports 5/HD (U.K.)
Online: Watch ESPN (US); Sportsnet World Now (Canada); Sky Go (U.K.)
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