It is fair to say things had not been going well for Hungary centre forward Szalai.
But his luck dramatically changed on Tuesday night in the 2-0 victory against 10-man Austria.
The lumbering ex-Real Madrid Castilla player broke a goal drought for club and country which stretched back to December 2014’s effort for Hoffenheim against Eintracht Frankfurt, sparking jubilant scenes as his nation returned to action in a major tournament for the first time since 1986.
Szalai's numbers
- 41- matches for club and country since Szalai last scored a goal.
- 16 - thousand and 58 days between goals for Hungary at the Euros.
- 260 - minutes per international goal for striker Szalai.
- 20 - shots without a goal in 2015/16 Bundesliga.
The goal was beautifully crafted, playing a one-two with Laszlo Kleinheiser on the edge of the penalty box before he stretched his long limbs and poked home. He will hope more are to follow.
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