Dominik Szoboszlai and Milos Kerkez ended Friday night in Budapest at the centre of a mass stoppage-time brawl that pulled in players, substitutes and coaching staff from both Hungary and Ukraine.
Ukraine’s Oleksandr Nazarenko lit the fuse with a late challenge that got him sent off. Szoboszlai shoved Viktor Tsygankov, who chased him down and clashed with Kerkez instead, and Ukraine captain Mykola Matviyenko grabbed the Liverpool left-back by the collar before both went to ground, Axar reported. Objects came down from the stands as bodies piled in, one of them striking Hungary midfielder Andras Schafer in the head.
Nazarenko was dismissed for a second yellow, with Flashscore’s match report recording the red card as a straight consequence of “a late challenge in stoppage time”.
Hackett expects charges for both federations
Keith Hackett, the former Professional Game Match Officials Limited chief and a former FIFA referee, told Football Insider that UEFA were likely to open proceedings against both national associations.
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“I expect both teams to be charged with failing to control their players,” Hackett said.
“Nazarenko, who made this challenge, was very fortunate not to receive a red card given that it met the criteria for serious foul play,” Hackett added.
Sikan header separated the sides
The scoreline barely reflected the temperature. Danylo Sikan headed in Georgiy Sudakov’s cross before the break, and Ukraine held on to a 1-0 win at the Puskás Aréna, ending Hungary’s four-match unbeaten home run.
Hungary pushed for an equaliser after the interval, but chances from Andras Schafer, Adam Csongvai and Bendeguz Bolla drifted wide or were saved, and Ukraine’s Oleg Ocheretko was named the man of the match.
Hungary travel to Belfast to face Northern Ireland on Monday 28 September, with the return meeting against Ukraine set for 5 October in Kyiv. Liverpool are back in Premier League action away to Manchester City on 11 October.
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