Austria show spirit to battle past Hungary

Austria kept alive their slim hopes of toppling Spain at the summit of UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying Group 4 as the hosts struck three times after the interval to overcome Hungary.

Austria went ahead in the eighth minute through Daniel Offenbacher, but goals from András Radó and David Holman gave the visitors the lead at half-time. However, Robert Žulj, Kevin Stöger and Kevin Friesenbichler all scored after the break as the home side fought back to secure all three points.

The visitors paid the price early on as they stood off Offenbacher and the No11 drove into the net from 25 metres. However, two opportunistic strikes allowed Hungary to turn the game on its head, the first coming as Radó slipped through a lax offside trap to slide in an equaliser. Then Holman looped a lob over Christoph Riegler who had strayed too far off the Austrian line on 26 minutes.

Werner Gregoritsch's men failed to get back on terms before the half-time whistle but on 54 minutes Peter Tschernegg's back-heeled pass played in Žulj and he made no mistake. Louis Schaub somehow failed to score from close range ten minutes later, but Austria went ahead when Stöger finished from Patrick Farkas's ball.

Substitute Friesenbichler secured the win three minutes after coming on to leave Austria six points behind leaders Spain but with a game in hand.