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Hungary stuns Iceland, joins North Macedonia at Euro 2020

Graham Dunbar | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 4 years AGO
by Graham Dunbar
| November 12, 2020 2:12 PM

Two late goals sent Hungary to the European Championship on Thursday by stunning Euro 2016 upstart Iceland 2-1 in the playoffs.

Hungary trailed from the 11th minute until leveling in the 88th, and when extra time looked likely Dominik Szoboszlai rifled in a low shot to seal the victory in stoppage time in Budapest.

The big prize for Hungary is two home games next June as one of 12 host nations at Euro 2020, where unheralded North Macedonia will make its major tournament debut.

North Macedonia’s 1-0 win at Georgia was earned by 37-year-old captain Goran Pandev’s goal early in the second half.

Two more playoffs were in extra time after 1-1 draws. Serbia scored a 90th minute equalizer against Scotland and Slovakia wasted an early lead at Northern Ireland by giving up an own goal in the 88th.

Scotland is also a host nation with the promise of two home games in Glasgow if it advances in Belgrade

North Macedonia could be the biggest outsider at Euro 2020, currently ranked No. 65 by FIFA, and joins Finland as major tournament newcomers.

The qualifying format guaranteed a tournament place for a low-ranked country that won a group in the bottom tier of the inaugural Nations League played two years ago.

The four Nations League tiers fed into four playoff brackets, giving second chances to teams which did not advance through traditional qualifying groups last year.

The playoffs were originally scheduled for March but were postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic which also forced UEFA to push Euro 2020 into next year.

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