Szoboszlai's Hungary latest to draw blank in Belfast

What the report says

Northern Ireland extended their strong start to the Uefa Nations League’s second tier with a 0-0 draw against Hungary in Belfast, following a 1-0 win over Georgia in Tbilisi four days earlier. BBC Sport NI reported that Michael O’Neill’s side have opened the group with back-to-back clean sheets and have remained unbeaten, with goalkeeper Pierce Charles again central to the result despite Hungary’s higher-profile attack led by Dominik Szoboszlai.

The article said Hungary’s first shot on target did not arrive until the 90th minute, underlining Northern Ireland’s defensive organisation at Windsor Park. O’Neill praised his players’ shape and work rate, while noting there is plenty to be positive about. The match also marked another clean sheet at home, with the report saying Hungary became the eighth visiting team to fail to score in Northern Ireland’s last 10 games in Belfast.

There were setbacks for Northern Ireland in attack. Sunderland defender Daniel Ballard was unavailable after a hamstring injury and will miss the rest of the window, while the team created few clear chances and registered a low expected-goals figure. BBC Sport NI said that remains a concern for O’Neill, especially with several attacking options still young and with Conor Bradley sidelined by injury. The broader takeaway, though, is that Northern Ireland’s defensive depth looks like a major asset as the campaign continues.