Hungary vs Albania

One of Hungary’s last chances to ensure a coveted second-place finish in the World Cup qualification Group I pits them against Albania at the Puskás Aréna.

The Hungarians have failed to build on their spirited Euro 2020 performances, losing two of their three World Cup qualifiers in September ‘to nil’ (W1). Consequentially, the ‘Magyars’ trail second-placed Albania by two points. Therefore, Hungary should consider this event as a must-win fixture if they want to keep their hopes of qualifying for the World Cup finals for the first time since 1986 alive. After eking out a tight 2-1 win over Andorra in their most recent World Cup qualifier at home, the hosts entertain the prospect of winning back-to-back home internationals for the first time in two years. But it’s worth noting that they had drawn a blank in two consecutive home matches before putting two past the Iberian minnows, highlighting their goalscoring woes.

Meanwhile, Albania’s 4-1 away loss to group leaders Portugal in their first World Cup qualifier in September may have cast doubt on their chances of reaching their first-ever World Cup finals. However, they have since won back-to-back Group I fixtures by an aggregate score of 6-0 to bring their World Cup qualifying campaign back on track. The Albanians, who haven’t drawn any of their six World Cup qualifiers (W4, L2), are firmly in control of their destiny, as they hold a one-point lead over third-placed Poland. Yet, their hopes of maintaining that slender advantage will be on the line when they take on a Hungary side they’ve failed to score against across their previous two visits to Budapest (L2). Before suffering an underwhelming 4-1 defeat to Poland in their most recent World Cup qualifying trip, Albania had kept six straight away clean sheets in competitive action (W4, D2).