Germany rescues a draw in Bologna and Hungary punishes England

MADRID, 4 Jun. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The German team took a point (1-1) from their visit to the Renato Dell'Ara stadium in Bologna thanks to a goal by Joshua Kimmich that neutralized Italy's reaction, on the first day of the 2022-23 League of Nations , while England fell in their duel against Hungary.

Hans-Dieter Flick's team was no better than their opponent, but they were fine in the rival area in their approaches, as well as good life insurance with Manuel Neuer under the sticks. His response to the goal of the transalpines was immediate, thus frustrating the home side, who are still in the doldrums after their elimination for the World Cup in Qatar.

Roberto Mancini's men arrived at the event after being beaten by Argentina in the 'Finalissima' and couldn't get the thorn out of their audience. The good start and chances in the first act did not find a reward until the 70th minute when Lorenzo Pellegrini finished off, alone at the far post, a good cross from Wilfried Gnonto.

But Germany woke up immediately and three minutes later leveled the game with Kimmich's volley from the heart of the box. The tie leaves both teams in the second and third position of group 3 in League A. The one who leads after the first day is Hungary.

The players led by Marco Rossi knocked England down (1-0) with a solitary goal from Dominik Szoboszlai, who scored from 11 meters to break the initial equality, when the 66th minute of the match was running. Their victory confirms the good start of those promoted in this premiere after the triumph also of the Czech Republic.

The game was marked by boos from a large part of the public at the English team, who decided to kneel on the grass before the start of the game as a sign of their fight against racism. Many fans booed the gesture.

This is the first time England have visited the stadium since some players were subjected to racist abuse during their 4-0 World Cup qualifying victory last September. World soccer's governing body, FIFA, has banned the hosts from playing with spectators after those events, although UEFA states that children under the age of 14, along with one adult for every 10 young fans, may attend matches at door closed.

The act of kneeling is a symbolic anti-racism gesture started by American soccer player Colin Kaepernick in 2016 in protest of the lack of attention to issues of racial inequality and police brutality in the United States.