Callum Styles played for just over an hour as Hungary claimed a 2-1 victory over Serbia in Budapest on Saturday evening.
The result leaves Marco Rossi’s side top of Group G as they aim to secure automatic qualification to EURO 2024.
Hungary, at number 32 in the FIFA World Rankings – four places below their opponents – took the lead when Loïc Négo raced onto a through ball and cut it back for Barnabás Varga to sweep home his third goal of this qualifying campaign.
The visitors equalised just after the half hour mark as Red Bull Salzburg defender Strahinja Pavlovic rose highest to head home from Andrija Zivkovic’s corner.
But Hungary responded immediately with a stunning half-volley from Freiburg midfielder Roland Sallai, who let the ball run across his path before firing into the top corner from 20-yards.
Up next for Styles and co is a trip to Lithuania on Tuesday evening where another win will guarantee a place at the finals next summer in Germany, as Serbia host Montenegro – second and third in the group, respectively – in Belgrade.
