England’s Nations League campaign got off to a losing start as a disappointing display brought a deserved defeat by Hungary in Budapest.
This international was billed as taking place behind closed doors as Uefa punishment for racist and homophobic behaviour by Hungary’s fans during Euro 2020.
And yet it was played in front of a large crowd, consisting mainly of schoolchildren allowed in under Uefa rules – and the young supporters revelled in a poor England performance and Dominik Szoboszlai’s winning goal from the penalty spot after Reece James fouled Zsolt Nagy.
The start of the game was overshadowed by loud jeering of England’s players as they took the knee and what followed was a jaded, mediocre effort that carried all the hallmarks of the end of a long season.