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Roundup: Two stuns in Group F

Xinhua, June 15, 2016 Adjust font size:

The two unexpected results on Tuesday made the EURO 2016 Group F full of suspense.

With Hungary beating Austria 2-0 and Iceland tying Portugal 1-1, Day Five witnessed only two matches, both in Group F and both thrilling.

In Bordeaux, Hungary, playing their first major tournament in 30 years, produced the biggest shock at the European championship as they defeated world 10th-ranked Austria 2-0 in their first Group F match.

Adam Szalai, who played for German Bundesliga side Hoffenheim, played a one-two with midfielder Laszlo Kleinheisler before firing home from close range in the 63rd minute.

Second-half substitution Zoltan Stieber made it 2-0 in the 87th minute when striker Tamas Priskin sent the ball forward and Zoltan Stieber made a solo run to chip it over the head of Austria keeper Robert Almer.

Austria's Aleksandar Dragovic was shown a second yellow card and sent off in the 66th.

Hungary's win marks the longest gap between victories for any team in the European championship history. They had not won a game since their extra-time triumph over Denmark on June 20,1964.

Austria, which have rocketed from 70th to 10th in the FIFA world rankings in five years under Marcel Koller, should have scored the fastest goal at the tournament from their super star David Alaba only a few seconds into action, but the Bayern Munich midfielder's effort from 20 meters hit the post.

In Saint-Etienne, hot favorites Portugal, centered by Cristiano Ronaldo, were held 1-1 tie by newcomers and minnows Iceland in their first match of UEFA EURO 2016 Group F.

Huge cheers roared out in the stadium as Iceland fans celebrated the first point from their first ever game at a major tournament.

Basel midfielder Birkir Bjarnason was the hero to earn the draw for Iceland as he volleyed home a pinpoint cross from Johann Gudmundsson in the 50th minute to level Portuguese forward Nani's low first-half finish.

In the 31st minute, midfielder Andre Gomes received the ball on the right of the penalty area and fed a timing across for Nani to steer home his 18th goal for Portugal.

Portugal coach Fernando Santos put C. Ronaldo and Nani in the front and defending players in the midfield, praying the two star strikers' personal skills to break down Iceland's defense. But they have to rely on moments of magic to score.

The 21st minute saw an excellent chance for Portugal as the two strikers combined brilliantly. C. Ronaldo bewitched Saevarsson with some fine footwork on the byline before crossing. Nani peeled away from his marker and got enough on his header, only to see Iceland keeper Hannes Halldorsson repel it with a fine stop.

A nation with a population of barely 330,000, Iceland became the smallest country to qualify for the EURO 2016 finals.

Hungary will next play Iceland, and Austria meet Portugal. Endit