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Hungary booked its ticket to Euro 2024 on Thursday thanks to an own goal by Bulgarian Alex Petkov in stoppage time that gave the Hungarians a 2-2 draw in Sofia.
The visitors only needed a point to advance to the final in Germany, but trailed 2-1 before Petkov allowed a cross to go over his head and into his own goal in the 97th minute.
The Hungarian players erupted in joy at the end of a match played in an empty stadium for fear of violence.
Ten Bulgarian enthusiasts protesting against their own football federation and five policemen were injured in clashes outside the national stadium. The police also used water cannons.
The draw gave Hungary 15 points from seven games in Group G of European qualifying, two ahead of Serbia.
The Hungarians are registered in Germany, Austria, Belgium, England, France, Portugal, Scotland, Spain and hosts Turkey among the groups that have so far qualified for next year’s finals.
Hungary, whose play was orchestrated by Liverpool midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai, took the lead in the 10th minute through Martin Adam, but Spas Delev equalized Bulgaria in the 24th minute.
Bulgaria took the lead in a hard-fought match when Kiril Despodov took a penalty beyond the Hungarian goalkeeper’s outstretched hand after Despodov fouled through Attila Szalai.
Just when Hungary looked set to concede the goal, the unfortunate Petkov headed towards his own goal.
In other opening matches, Spain, who had also already booked their ticket, won 3-1 in Cyprus thanks to 16-year-old Barcelona star Lamine Yamal, who scored the first for the Spaniards in the 5th minute.
Yamal featured Spain’s youngest player and goalscorer in the 7-1 win over Georgia in the qualifying round in September and on Thursday he beat the goalkeeper and scored the first goal.
Scotland, who had already qualified, drew 2-2 with Georgia in Tbilisi thanks to Lawrence Shankland’s 93rd-minute equaliser.
Azerbaijan defeated a dismal Sweden 3-0 in Baku in Group F, from which Austria and Belgium have already qualified. Austria beat last-placed Estonia 2-0.
GJ/DMC