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| March 25th 2005 |
Santiago, Estadio Nacional
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| PARAGUAY - HUNGARY |
1-5 (0-3)
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GOALS 4' 0-1 Ferenc Puskas
11' 0-2 Sandor Kocsis
21' 0-3 Sandor Kocsis
62' 0-4 Tibor Nyilasi
69' 1-4 Arsenio Pastor Erico
80' 1-5 Ferenc Puskas
REFEREE Gottfried Dienst (Switzerland)
ATTENDANCE 68,000
YELLOW CARDS Ayala, Zavala (Par)
PARAGUAY (Coach: Cayetano Ré, system 4-3-3)
1 José Luis Chilavert (captain)
2 Francisco Javier Arce
4 Carlos Alberto Gamarra (-57)
5 Celso Rafael Ayala
20 Justo Jacquet
18 Roberto Miguel Acuna
8 Julio Cesar Romero (-46)
6 Jorge Amado Nunes
9 Roberto Cabanas
10 Arsenio Pastor Erico
12 Aurelio Gonzalez (-46)
Substitutes:
13 Adolfino Canete (+46)
7 Delfin Benitez Caceres (+46)
16 Cesar Zavala (+57)
HUNGARY (Coach: Gusztav Sebes, system 4-2-4)
1 Gyula Grosics
2 Jenö Buzansky
5 Kalman Meszoly
4 Gyula Lorant
3 Sandor Biro
6 Jozsef Bozsik (2nd captain)
15 Tibor Nyilasi (-74)
14 Ladislao Kubala (-66)
8 Sandor Kocsis
10 Ferenc Puskas (captain) (-84)
11 Zoltan Czibor
Substitutes:
19 Alfred Schaffer (+66)
9 Nandor Hidegkuti (+74)
12 Gyorgy Sarosi (+84)
MATCHREPORT
Paraguay fought for their last chance as much as Hungary did and thought
they could beat the Magic Magyars, but after 20 minutes they were back with
their feet on the ground. By that time, the score was 0-3. Hungary wouldn't
leave any doubts about their intentions in Santiago, demolished Ré's men and
the South-Americans could consider themselves lucky that Puskas' army took
it easy when the difference was made.
It was the captain himself who set the tone after just 4 minutes. Czibor
outplayed Arce on the left and gave the ball to Bozsik. The midfielder
released a nasty shot for Chilavert, who could only parry it. Puskas was
exactly at the right place, in the right moment and it was already 0-1. Only
7 minutes later the Hungarian party was complete when Sandor Kocsis while
diving headed in Kubala's cross. Paraguay was nowhere and simply couldn't
hold this red machine. Had they been able to make it a game against Romania,
this was football on another level. After 21 minutes, the 0-3. This time a
splitting pass from Puskas to Kubala, who played it through to Buzansky. The
right back, from the outline, sent it to Kocsis who fired it in from 8
metres distance.
That, of course, was the end of the match. Hungary had made it easy for
themselves by giving it all during the first quarter of the match. When they
eased the pressure, Paraguay every now and then could give it a shot at
Hungary's defence that could not withstand the comparison with their fellows
in attack. Meszoly had a difficult time against Erico and Biro and Cabanas
were well up against each other. But when Paraguay really threatened, there
was always the great goalkeeper Gyula Grosics, with his reflexes and
attentive play covering a lot of the box. On the other end Hungary were
close to making it even worse for their opponents. After a brilliant pass
from Bozsik, Kubala shot it wide and Kocsis' header, from a pass by Kubala,
hit the outside of the post. When referee Gottfried Dienst - who had given a
yellow card to Ayala for a foul on Nyilasi, later in the match substitute
Zavala would get cautioned too - blew for half time, Paraguay were down and
out.
Ré, helpless watching this disaster, tried to bring fresh blood with Canete
and Benitez Caceres. Midfielder Romero and striker Gonzalez stayed in the
dressing room, Ré hoped for a quick goal that could possibly upset Hungary
who were said to be not so strong mentally. But the new players went down
just like all the other Paraguayans in this display of brilliance that
Hungary showed the world. Puskas and Kubala were simply outstanding,
unstoppable when they wanted to. Puskas sent several smart passes to his
teammates, Kubala dribbled and dazzled just like he pleased. Both were on
the basis of the fourth goal, this time it was Tibor Nyilasi who pulled the
trigger: 0-4. Soon after however, Paraguay did something for the statistics.
Erico squeezed between Lorant and Biro and remained cool eye-to-eye with
Grosics. He lobbed it over the Hungarian goalie, with grace: 1-4.
Hungary didn't allow Paraguay to get into the game further than that. With
Schaffer for Kubala, who left the field under a standing ovation, and
Hidegkuti for Nyilasi, new enthusiasm came into the team. Both substitutes
wanted to show their coach that they belonged in the team or at least that
they were worthy replacements. Paraguay again were sentenced to watching it.
Just before being called to rest, it was captain Puskas who put the icing on
the cake. He controlled a high cross from Buzansky, left Ayala standing with
a simple flick of the foot and drove the ball behind Chilavert: 1-5. A
fantastic goal by the man who had entertained the crowd with his great
technique, vision and precise passes that had led to many good chances and
two goals scored by himself. After this goal Puskas without reluctancy could
have himself replaced by Sarosi. This match was over, Hungary had
established themselves as dangerous outsiders, Romania were the next
opponents. A draw would do for Hungary in that match, but looking at their
style they would certainly go out for a win. Paraguay could try to regain a
bit of selfrespect against Italy who were already sure of qualification.
Sweden and Austria play their second match in group E on Tuesday, in Rio de
Janeiro. Sweden, who won a highly disputed match against Scandinavian rivals
Denmark, were happy to earn three points but couldn't really convince. Coach
Raynor hopes that his leading striker Nordahl is fit for this important
match. If he can not play, Sven Rydell who scored against Denmark is likely
to make the starting line-up. Otherwise there are no major changes to
expect. Then Austria, disappointingly beaten 1-3 by England. They will be
without defender Sesta who is suspended after his red card. But in Robert
Sara they have another right back with World Cup experience under his belt.
Coach Meisl who didn't hesitate to play with 4 men up front against England
has told his players now that he wants Sindelar to play more from midfield.
In attack he has many different options which could lead to new chances for
Bican and Binder, now the Austrian strikers didn't play too well in the
first match. Moroccan referee Said Belqola is in charge.
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