Hungary Secures Euro 2024 Finals Berth in Dramatic Draw with Bulgaria

 Hungary Secures Euro 2024 Finals Berth in Dramatic Draw with Bulgaria

Hungary's midfielder #13 Zsolt Kalmar (C) and teammates celebrate after Bulgaria scored an own goal during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group G qualification football match between Bulgaria and Hungary, at the Vassil Levski Stadium in Sofia, on November 16, 2023.(Image-Getty)

Hungary secured their place in the Euro 2024 finals with a dramatic 2-2 away draw against Bulgaria in Group G, clinching qualification with a game to spare. Martin Adam's early header gave Hungary the lead, but Spas Delev equalized for Bulgaria in the 24th minute.

Despite Bulgaria being reduced to nine men before halftime, VAR overturned one of the red cards, keeping their hopes alive. Hungary went down to 10 men early in the second half, and Kiril Despodov's penalty put Bulgaria in the lead in the 78th minute.

In the dying moments, Hungary faced their first defeat in a year, but a last-gasp own goal from Alex Petkov in stoppage time secured a 2-2 draw and Hungary's place in the European championship finals for the third consecutive time.

Meanwhile, Montenegro secured a 2-0 win at home against Lithuania, thanks to goals from Edvin Kuc and Stevan Jovetic. With this result, Hungary tops Group G with 15 points from seven games, holding an unassailable four-point lead over third-placed Montenegro.

Hungary will host Montenegro in their final qualifying match on Sunday.