Hungary saw off Finland 2-1 in an International Friendly at Puskás Aréna, with Barnabás Varga scoring twice in the first half to make the difference. The hosts were clinical, scoring with both of their shots on target, while Finland’s second-half push came up just short. It was a tidy night’s work for Marco Rossi’s side against Jacob Friis’ visitors, with the Sofascore data pointing to a calm but effective home display.

Varga at the double puts Hungary in control

Dominik Szoboszlai provided the spark on 25 minutes, swinging in a precise cross from the right that Varga headed in at the far post. The forward struck again in the 43rd minute after Alex Tóth slipped a pass into a dangerous pocket, and Varga finished with his right foot. Hungary had 10 shots before the break and made their two on-target efforts count. Finland managed three first-half shots and four corners but could not seriously trouble the home goal. Half-time arrived with Hungary 2-0 up and comfortable in possession at 59-41.

The individual returns back up the eye test. Varga led all players with a Sofascore Rating of 8.9, built on two goals, five duels won and smart movement in the box. Szoboszlai posted a 7.2 Sofascore Rating, delivering one assist, three key passes and three accurate crosses from five. Centre-back Willi Orbán added presence at the back with four clearances and two interceptions on a 7.1 Sofascore Rating. Tóth, who assisted the second goal and created two chances, finished at 6.5 after a bruising duel count. For Finland, captain Lukáš Hrádecký did not record a first-half save.

Finland rally after the break

Finland freshened the attack on 56 minutes, introducing Oliver Antman and Miro Tenho, then added Topi Keskinen and Oiva Jukkola at 66. The changes paid off on 71 minutes after a well-worked move down the left. Leo Walta delivered a cross, Jukkola applied the key touch and defender Tony Miettinen guided a right-foot finish past Áron Yaakobishvili to make it 2-1. In the second half Finland out-shot Hungary on target by 3-0 and earned four corners to the hosts’ none. They also registered the game’s only big chance, which went missing, and kept the pressure on in the final third.

The ratings reflect the visitors’ upturn. Miettinen earned a 7.0 Sofascore Rating with his goal, plus four clearances before going off injured on 81 minutes. Jukkola made an instant impact for a 7.0 Sofascore Rating, supplying an assist, two key passes and tidy distribution at 6/6 accurate passes. Walta put in 11 crosses, created two chances and logged a 6.7 Sofascore Rating as a constant outlet. Finland’s momentum was checked by late injuries, with both Miettinen and later Nikolai Alho forced off. Hrádecký also made way for Jesse Joronen on 81 minutes as Finland chased an equalizer.

What the numbers say

Hungary edged possession 55-45 and completed 341 accurate passes to Finland’s 255. The hosts were cleaner in defensive timing, winning 73% of tackles and posting an 11-3 edge in interceptions. They also commanded the air with a 59% aerial duel win rate, an important factor in seeing out the final stages. While Finland made more final-third entries 46-31, Hungary were far more efficient with their crossing at 6/13 compared to 4/19 for the visitors. Clearances finished 25-20 to Hungary, another sign of an organized back line under late pressure.

The shot map tells a simple story. Total attempts ended 18-10 to Hungary, but Finland led shots on target 3-2. Hungary’s two on-target efforts found the net, while Finland’s best opening went begging. The home side also had seven blocked shots and nine off target, reflecting volume over precision once two goals were in hand. Goalkeeping swung Hungary’s way after the break, with Yaakobishvili coming on at 63 minutes and making three saves, including two classified as big. The cards count read 3-1 to Hungary, with bookings for Attila Osváth, Szoboszlai and Kornél Szűcs, and a first-half caution for Anssi Suhonen.

A night at Puskás Aréna that started with a flurry ended with control. Hungary’s front-line efficiency, Szoboszlai’s delivery and sturdy aerial work tilted a well-contested friendly their way. For Finland, the second-half surge, Jukkola’s supply and Miettinen’s finish were positives to bank ahead of the next international window. Full stats, lineups, live momentum and every Sofascore Rating are available on Sofascore, the sports platform that turns friendlies into proper readbacks.