Hungary: Marton Fulop, Laszlo Bodnar, Vilmos Vanczak, Roland Juhász, Boldizsar Bodor, Zoltan Szelesi, Tamas Hajnal (Zoltan Gera, 46), Peter Halmosi (Balazs Toth, 90), Szabolcs Huszti, Balazs Dzsudzsak (Krisztian Vadocz, 79), Sandor Torghelle.
Malta: Justin Haber, Andrei Agius, Shaun Bajada, Jonathan Caruana, Alex Muscat, Gilbert Agius, Roderick Briffa (Ryan Fenech, 85), Andrew Cohen, Daniel Bogdanovic (Etienne Barbara, 89), Michael Mifsud, Andre Schembri (Terence Scerri 46).
Referee: Sukhina (Russia)
Scorers: Hajnal 6 min; Gera 80 min; Juhasz 94 min
Yellow cards: Bodnar, Juhasz, Mifsud
Duzan Fitzel’s boys still in search of the first goal after seven matches
Two late goals punished Malta beyond its merits yesterday in Budapest, as Fitzel’s boys are still in search of their first goal after seven World Cup qualifiers.
However after suffering yet another early goal, the Maltese gave a very good account of themselves, sharing the exchanges with their opponents especially in the second half.
Captain Tamas Hajnal's early free-kick and late goals from Zoltan Gera and Roland Juhasz maintained Hungary's encouraging performance in 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying Group 1.
Hajnal curled in a set-piece just seven minutes in and after piling the pressure on Malta they were rewarded when substitute Gera and defender Juhasz put the result beyond doubt. Hungary return to action in September with the visits of Sweden and Portugal, both of those sides currently seven points behind.
Hungary, who won 1-0 in Albania on Saturday, were given the chance to open the scoring when Peter Halmosi was brought down just outside the box, and Hajnal's superb curled effort gave Justin Habel in the Malta goal no chance. Full-back Laszlo Bodnar and forward Sandor Torghelle could have extended the lead but both missed the target with headers while at the other end Malta's Andrew Cohen's long-range effort was two metres too high.
The home side's ploy of using long crossfield passes to Balazs Dzsudzsák on the left was a potent threat and it was from one of these that he cut inside Alex Muscat only to shoot wide.
The second half was just as open as the first had been as Muscat's angled shot was clawed away by goalkeeper Marton Fülöp, then Hungary substitute Gera's header forced a full-stretch Haber save.
Fulop denied Michael Mifsud and Szabolcs Huszti's free-kick shaved the crossbar but the crucial second goal eventually came from Gera, heading Halmosi's cross into the ground, the ball bouncing into the roof of the net.
Juhasz then capped a comprehensive victory with a glancing header, leaving Malta marooned on one point.