Balazs Dzsudzsak rescues draw for Hungary against Romania

A brilliant late free-kick from captain Balazs Dzsudzsak earned Hungary a 1-1 draw against Romania in their Euro 2016 Group G qualifier at the Arena Nationala in Bucharest.

Hungary were beaten at home by Northern Ireland in their opening tie, a result that led to the replacement of manager Attila Pinter with former midfielder Pal Dardai.

Despite going behind on the stroke of half-time to a well-taken goal from Raul Rusescu, Hungary showed great resilience to battle back and were rewarded with eight minutes left when Dzsudzsak curled in a superb 25-yard free-kick.

Romania, who recorded a 1-0 win in Greece last time out, had been forced into a change after just five minutes when defender Dorin Goian was replaced by Florin Gardos.

But the hosts were not unsettled, as Fulham goalkeeper Gabor Kiraly was first tested by Alexandru Maxim and a 25-yard drive by Razvan Rat, captaining the side on his 99th international appearance.

The PAOK Salonika defender, who had a spell at West Ham last season, helped cut Hungary open as Romania swept into the lead just before half-time.

Lucian Sanmartean's crossfield pass released Rat, and the left-back pulled the ball into the path of Rusescu, who crashed in his first international goal from 12 yards.

Romania thought they had doubled their lead on 69 minutes when Rusescu headed home a deep, curling free-kick from Rat, but the flag was up for offside.

Hungary continued to work hard, and their industry was eventually rewarded

Alexandru Chipciu bundled over Dzsudzsak some 25 yards out. The Dynamo Moscow midfielder dusted himself down before whipping a fine strike up over the wall, the ball flying into the top left-hand corner past diving goalkeeper Ciprian Tatarusanu.

Substitute Nermanja Nikolic could then have won it for Hungary but, after cutting in from the left, his curling shot across the face of goal was deflected behind.

Scottish referee Willie Collum handed out some 11 yellow cards, four of which came after Hungary's goal, as tempers threatened to boil over.