England 1-1 Hungary - Three Lions are HELD to a draw by much-improved visitors at Wembley as Gareth Southgate's ploy to start Phil Foden and Mason Mount together fails... with John Stones heading home equaliser
- Wembley shocked as Hungary took the lead with Roland Sallai penalty after a high boot from Luke Shaw
- But John Stones restored order for England later in the first half after diverting in Phil Foden free-kick
- England though laboured throughout the match and did little to trouble a stubborn Hungarian side
- Despite poor draw, the Three Lions are still in an excellent position to seal a place in the World Cup
- Fixture though was marred by Hungarian supporters clashing with police in early stages of the first half
Not for the first time recently, Hungarian thugs departed a football stadium in total disgrace. That said, England’s football team didn’t cover themselves in much glory either.
As chaos erupted in the stands as Hungary fans, just weeks after racially abusing England players in Budapest, violently clashed with police, Gareth Southgate’s team toiled.
Those who had the brass neck to throw punches and kick security staff; losers - the lot of them.
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Yet, they’d have left Wembley believing they were the winners. They weren’t, of course. Not literally or metaphorically.
The draw, in the end, was probably a fair result, not that will serve as any comfort to Southgate.
England remain on course for World Cup qualification, but this won’t be a night Southgate will reflect on with much fondness.
By the time the full-time whistle blew, Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling were off the pitch - and England were out of ideas.
This was supposed to be the night Kane equalled - or even surpassed - Wayne Rooney’s record of 37 competitive England goals.
While the England captain remains on 36 international strikes, he will - barring a miraculous collapse - break all of Rooney’s goalscoring records one day.
Nevertheless, Kane remains in somewhat of a rut and Southgate will hope the talisman can rediscover his form ahead of the final two qualifiers against Albania and San Marino next month.
'Right across the board we weren't sharp with our play and we were overrunning things, it was the first time in a long time but we have to hold our hands up to it,’ confessed Southgate. 'I don't think we should look at individuals because collectively we didn't perform at the level we should have.'
While Hungary’s unruly supporters were keeping Wembley's servicemen occupied off the pitch, England’s players were being handed a much sterner test than they probably expected on it.
Kane squandered two decent early opportunities as England’s night appeared to be taking a routine course to victory.
Indeed, England’s 77 percent possession inside the opening 10 minutes was illustrative of their early dominance.
But Hungary weren’t interested in sticking to the script. There seemed little danger when the ball bounced, albeit awkwardly, between Shaw and Loic Nego. The Manchester United left-back surveyed the situation and believed he could get to the ball before his competitor to clear England’s lines.
He was right, he did arrive at the ball first - but his foot was so ridiculously high that he caught Nego in the face, leaving the Hungarian in heap in the penalty area.
Referee Alejandro Hernandez had no hesitation in blowing for a penalty. England’s players remonstrated, but even their appeals were half-baked. Shaw knew, as did his team-mates. Roland Sallai did the rest, sending Pickford the wrong way.
The visiting supporters who were frenzied at the start of the game for all the wrong reasons were going berserk again - this time with unadulterated joy. Green smoke bellowed from the corner of Wembley that belonged to the Hungarians as they sensed history.
The rest of the stadium, however, was stunned into silence. Southgate’s players were in a predicament, that’s for sure.
Yet, you can’t accuse this England squad of lacking courage. Once again they displayed the sort of fortitude that has instilled pride back into the national team.
Phil Foden’s free-kick had Hungary in daze; Declan Rice’s presence in the box ran the necessary interference and John Stones applied the final touch at the back post - bundling home to equalise.
You sensed the collective sigh of relief, while Southgate’s clenched fists said it all.
Had Sterling applied the finishing touch following impressive combination play between Jack Grealish and Shaw then England may have been ahead at the break.
Southgate, though, would have been happy to have his players back inside. This was far from vintage, in truth it was bordering on sloppy.
The manager’s decision to experiment with an extra attacking player: Foden instead of Jordan Henderson midfield, had worked in some respect - it was the Manchester City youngster who supplied the ball for Stones’ leveller.
Yet it may have solidified some of the concerns Southgate harbours about a lack of stability without two defensive midfield players.
England's second period won’t have encouraged Southgate to stick with this more attack-minded formula for the longer-term.
The game was open, probably far too open for the England manager’s liking. One minute Sterling was careering down the left, the next Stones was making a last ditch challenge on Lasse Schone to prevent England from falling behind for a second time.
Grealish was sacrificed for Bukayo Saka in the 63rd minute to smattering of jeers from England’s supporters.
Southgate may argue that it was a simple like-for-like substitution; the more cynically inclined may point out that Saka is rather more defensively disciplined.
Grealish looked far from happy by it all, too. England, for the most part, had been average - but the £100million man was by no means the worst of a below-par bunch.
Sterling missed an excellent opportunity to fire England ahead in the 70th minute following Kane’s pass before the Spurs striker flashed his own effort wide in the 74th minute.
Southgate took the unusual step of substituting his two most important attacking players in Sterling and Kane, who departed for Jordan Henderson and Tammy Abraham, for the closing 15 minutes.
It was, perhaps, a sign of desperation. It was certainly one of frustration.
RE-LIVE ALL THE ACTION AS IT HAPPENED...
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Dan Ripley Host commentator
90+2min: England are forced into another change, with Abraham, who replaced Kane, limping off the pitch to be replaced by Ollie Watkins, who instantly slips to weakly volley a looping effort at Gulacsi.
90+1min: We are now in four added minutes as England continue to labour on the ball.
Scotland are getting used to these late shows though. Lyndon Dykes netting in the Faroe Islands with four minutes to play.
89min: Tammy Abraham glances a header just wide off a speculative Luke Shaw effort, but he had been flagged offside anyway. The Roma striker having just as little joy as Kane up to top this evening.
87min: One positive for England (as they continue to create little) is if Poland do win and this remains a draw, Southgate's side would still only need to stick a few goals past San Marino to ensure qualification. And that's even factoring in what would be a disastrous defeat at home to Albania in their next game next month.
84min: England are losing their way now. Saka loses the ball weakly on the edge of the box, but Holender can only bend a shot across goal over the crossbar. That's a let-off.
81min: Just not happening for England this evening. There is a stoppage in play now as John Stones needs treatment on the pitch for what looks like a shoulder problem inside the Hungary penalty box.
78min: Big goal in this group's other game as Poland lead in Albania with 13 minutes to go after a Karol Swiderski strike. England once again need a win to get the job all but done this evening.
76min: And that's Kane's evening done as he is replaced by Tammy Abraham while Jordan Henderson comes on for Sterling.
74min: That's dreadful from Kane. A pass takes a big deflection into his path inside the box, but unmarked and with a bouncing ball he slices well, well wide. Not the easiest of bounces but he should be doing better than that.
71min: Half-chance for England. Harry Kane plays a good through ball into the box for Raheem Sterling, but he is unable to latch onto the ball properly before Gulacsi quickly comes off his line to bravely gather at the forward's feet.
68min: First change from the away side, as Szabolcs Schon makes way for Filip Holender. They haven't seen much of the ball in this half have Hungary, but there is a menace about them which suggests they still have a lethal counter attack in them.
65min: Like the first half it's lots of England possession but they are struggling to find gaps in the Hungarian defence. It's still 0-0 between Albania and Poland though, which means a draw at Wembley would just about be job done.
Northern Ireland by the way are now 2-1 down in Bulgaria and their hopes of reaching the World Cup look all but over now. Scotland are also still goalless in the Faroe Islands.
62min: Just wide! As the rain starts to fall at Wembley, Stones nearly scores a second goal only for his header across goal from a Phil Foden corner to bounce just wide.
On comes Saka to big cheers from the home fans as he replaces Jack Grealish, who doesn't look to happy at having to come off.
60min: Changes are on the way for England. It looks like Bukayo Saka is getting ready to come on. Not a moment too soon either.
57min: Just short of the hour mark and for the first time since about the first 10 minutes he gets involved. He's had to drop deep, and as space opens up for his trademark shot across goal from the left hand side, his effort can only be rifled straight at Peter Gulacsi.
55min: Something to encourage the home fans. Raheem Sterling is released into space down the right and although the forward's low ball into the box is a decent one, it is well cleared by the Hungarian defence.
52min: Not that Hungary will be content to just defend either. A counter attack results in a pass finding Roland Sallai on the edge of the box, whose shot is charged down by Tyrone Mings for a corner, one that, eventually, England clear. Getting a bit nervous inside Wembley.
49min: A little bit of urgency from England at the start of the half as they win successive corners, but the visitors safely clear both to continue their impressive defensive display from the first half.
46min: One bit of good news for England is that it is still 0-0 between Albania and Poland. If it stays like that, then a draw here will also just about be good enough for England to seal qualification. A lot can happen in 45 minutes though...
Elsewhere around Europe, Bruno Fernandes has added to Ronaldo's two first half goals to give Portugal a 3-0 lead over Luxembourg.
Northern Ireland lead 1-0 in Bulgaria through Conr Washington but with Switzerland also in front, it's of little use to them.
Scotland are being held at the Faroe Islands, and with Israel also winning, it's putting a little bit of pressure on Steve Clarke's side.
45+1min: Just the one added minute at Wembley. England still pressing, and nearly score. Shaw takes a Grealish pass before lofting a ball to the back post for Raheem Sterling.
The forward's headed effort is well saved by Gulacsi, before the Man City star stabs the rebound wide.
43min: All England right now. It's not total domination, but the Three Lions are the only side looking to score as we approach half-time. Still though, Hungary will be much the happier side if we go into the break level.
40min: England are cooking now. Jack Grealish picks up a pass in a good position on the edge of the box, before trying once too many times to beat his defender, resulting in him failing to get a shot on goal as the ball is cleared.
Here is Stones' equaliser for your viewing pleasure:
37min: Relief! England win yet another free-kick and Phil Foden's delivery takes a slight deflection off Declan Rice before finding John Stones at the far post to divert the ball home.
36min: Mason Mount's free-kick is headed behind for a corner and despite the panic that results in the box from the visitors on the second set-piece, Hungary players eventually clear.
33min: Free-kick to England on the left side near the byline, not before time this spell of pressure either.
30min: Half-an-hour into the game and England look totally lost out there. Nothing is happening for the home side going forward. Hungary look settled and composed defending England's rather passive possession play.
27min: That looked a little harsh on Shaw for me. Granted his foot was high but he had committed to his air volley long before the opposition player leaned in with his head.
Harry Kane goes down at the other end trying to win a penalty, but there is really little in it and play on is the correct call.
24min: And Roland Sallai makes no mistake from the penalty spot to send Jordan Pickford the wrong way. Green flares are lit in the away end among ecstatic Hungary fans as the rest of Wembley falls silent.
23min: A high foot from Luke Shaw inside the box sees him booked, and it gives Hungary a shock chance to take the lead. This could make this game very interesting.
21min: Well that is sort of better than anything we have seen in the last 10 minutes. Jack Grealish is released into space down the left, but his cross into the box is easily gathered by keeper Peter Gulacsi.
18min: Very little happening for England here. Since that half-chance for Kane, they have created... well not much at all. Southgate's side have seen a lot of the ball but are not doing much with it.
15min: Warning sign for England. Hungary attack the right before a cross into the box is turned off target by Roland Sallai.
12min: Still no breakthrough for England, with the crowd trouble now looking like it has eased.
There is not much happening in Europe either, although Cristiano Ronaldo (below) has taken fewer than 15 minutes to score two penalties against Luxembourg for Portugal.
9min: That is brilliant football. Jack Grealish's cheeky backheel allows Luke Shaw to canter with possession down the left before he fizzes a good low ball to the back post.
Harry Kane attempts to slide the ball home, but a defender is just alert to intercept and turn the ball wide.
3min: Sadly not much to report on the football pitch, more is happening off it. Hungary fans are already involved in clashes with the police in the lower tier of the end England are attacking. Hopefully that is brought under control and quickly.
1min: Quite a few empty seats in corporate areas either side of the Wembley tunnel, many in fact, as England already look to take the game to Hungary.
Here is a reminder of the line-ups tonight:
England: Pickford, Walker, Stones, Mings, Shaw, Foden, Rice, Mount, Sterling, Kane, Grealish.
Subs: Sancho, Tomori, Abraham, Ramsdale, Chilwell, Saka, Johnstone, Henderson, Coady, Watkins, Trippier, Ward-Prowse.
Hungary: Gulacsi, Lang, Kecskes, Szalai, Nego, Adam Nagy, Schafer, Zsolt Nagy, Sallai, Szoboszlai, Schon.
Subs: Varga, Szabo, Nikolic, Gazdag, Vecsei, Holender, Bogdan, Bolla, Salloi, Balogh.
Referee: Alejandro Hernandez (Spain)
Win tonight and England will at the very least have a four-point gap over Albania who take on Poland this evening.
With two games to play after - and with the Three Lions still to face San Marino again - that would all but secure qualification for the World Cup. That's not to be disrespectful to San Marino,... but just look at their record. They haven't won for 113 games.
England will be looking for a repeat of last month's performance, where they won 4-0 in Hungary. The visitors don't have the best record against the Three Lions - they haven't beaten them since the 1962 World Cup.
Interesting take from Collymore here. We'll know more from kick-off but it does appear Foden will be out on the flank of England's midfield, with Mason Mount the most advanced attacker. Them two are going to be this generation's Lampard/Gerrard conundrum aren't they?
KISHAN VAGHELA: Even despite his underwhelming start to his Tottenham season, Harry Kane is on the cusp of England history when Gareth Southgate's men face Hungary.
Conor Bradley makes his first Northern Ireland start as Ian Baraclough makes four changes for the World Cup qualifier against Bulgaria.
Shane Ferguson starts in place of Jamal Lewis, suspended after his controversial red card in the 2-0 defeat by Switzerland on Saturday which all-but ended hopes of reaching the qualifying play-offs.
The 18-year-old Bradley comes into the side along with Tom Flanagan and Josh Magennis, with Stuart Dallas and Ciaron Brown dropping to the bench and George Saville not listed in the matchday squad.
Bulgaria: Karadzhov, Turitsov, Petko Hristov, Radoslav Tsonev, Andrea Hristov, Velkovski, Borislav Tsonev, Chochev, Nedelev, Despodov, Atanas Iliev.
Subs: Vitanov, Malinov, Krastev, Ilian Iliev, Vutsov, Lukov, Yankov, Bozhikov, Kirilov, Karagaren, Delev, Dimitar Iliev.
Northern Ireland: Peacock-Farrell, McNair, Ballard, Cathcart, Flanagan, Ferguson, Bradley, Davis, Thompson, Magennis, Washington.
Subs: Smyth, Brown, Hughes, McCalmont, Dallas, Jones, Winchester, Hazard, McGinn, Charles.
Referee: Aleksei Kulbakov (Belarus)
It's not all in their own hands though. Like England they can earn a top two spot with a win, but they must also rely on defeats handed to Austria and Israel.
Scotland manager Steve Clarke makes three changes for the World Cup qualifier against the Faroe Islands in Torshavn.
Ryan Christie, Ryan Fraser and Grant Hanley are all recalled. Hanley is back from suspension, with Callum McGregor dropping out and Scott McTominay set to push into midfield.
Fraser replaces wing-back Nathan Patterson and Christie is a straight swap for the injured Che Adams.
Faroe Islands: Gestsson, Faero, Vatnsdal, Nattestad, Sorensen, Gunnar Vatnhamar, Brandur Olsen, Davidsen, Hansson, Edmundsson, Jonsson.
Subs: Nielsen, Bjartalid, Askham, Knudsen, Klaemint Olsen, Frederiksen, Agnarsson, Jensen, Lamhauge, Solvi Vatnhamar, Danielsen.
Scotland: Gordon, Hendry, Hanley, Tierney, Fraser, McTominay, Gilmour, Robertson, John McGinn, Christie, Dykes.
Subs: McLean, Turnbull, McKenna, Ferguson, Nisbet, McLaughlin, Patterson, Kelly, Armstrong, McGregor, O'Donnell, Cooper.
Referee: Matej Jug (Slovenia)
England make nine changes for their World Cup qualifier against Hungary as captain Harry Kane returns in attack.
The Three Lions won 5-0 in Andorra on Saturday with a much-changed line-up as only Manchester City pair Phil Foden and John Stones retain their places.
Kane comes back in to lead the line, with Jordan Pickford in goal and Luke Shaw, Kyle Walker and Tyrone Mings recalled in defence.
Declan Rice, Jack Grealish, Raheem Sterling and Mason Mount also come in for the hosts.
Well... most of them with perhaps the exception of Kane.
This is an excellent opportunity for England to all but book a spot at next year's World Cup though, as they take on Hungary at Wembley.
Win tonight and they will have no excuse not to reach the finals held next year as I welcome you to our live coverage of all this evening's World Cup qualifying action.
Team news coming next... and it's the return of the big hitters including skipper Harry Kane (below)
England will be looking to all but secure their place in next year's World Cup when they host Hungary at Wembley.
The Three Lions know victory will guarantee them a place in the top two of their qualifying group, but with a trip to San Marino still to come it would put them with one foot in next year's finals to be held in Qatar.
Hungary though could provide stern opposition at Wembley as they will be desperate for three points to keep their fading qualifying hopes hanging by a thread following defeat by England's closest rivals Albania on Sunday.
Follow Sportsmail's DAN RIPLEY for live World Cup qualifier coverage of England vs Hungary, including build-up, team news and updates.
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