European Qualifiers: Last-gasp Hungary deny Romania after 1-1 draw in Bucharest

A brilliant late free-kick from captain Balazs Dzsudzsak earned Hungary a 1-1 draw against Romania in their Euro 2016 Group G qualifier at the Arena Nationala in Bucharest.

Hungary were beaten at home by Northern Ireland in their opening tie, which resulted in the departure of manager Attila Pinter, who was replaced by former midfielder Pal Dardai.

Despite going behind on the stroke of half-time to a well-taken goal from Raul Rusescu, Hungary showed great resilience to battle back into the match and were rewarded with eight minutes left when Dzsudzsak curled in a superbly-executed 25-yard free-kick.

Romania, who recorded a 1-0 win in Greece last time out, had been forced into a change after just five minutes when defender Dorin Goian replaced by Florin Gardos.

The hosts were, though, not unsettled as Fulham goalkeeper Gabor Kiraly was first tested by Alexandru Maxim and then a 25-yard drive by Razvan Rat, captaining the side on his 99th international appearance.

The PAOK Salonika defender, who had a spell at West Ham last season, helped cut Hungary open as Romania swept into the lead just before half-time.

Lucian Sanmartean's cross-field pass released Rat, and the left-back pulled the ball into the path of Rusescu, who crashed in his first international goal from 12 yards.

Romania thought they had doubled their lead on 69 minutes when Rusescu headed home a deep, curling free-kick from Rat, but the flag was quickly up for offside.

Hungary continued to work hard, and their industry was eventually rewarded

Alexandru Chipciu bundled over Dzsudzsak some 25 yards out. The Dynamo Moscow midfielder dusted himself down before whipping a superb strike up over the wall, and the ball flew into the top-left corner past the glove of diving goalkeeper Ciprian Tatarusanu.

Substitute Nermanja Nikolic could then have won it for Hungary but, after cutting in from the left, his curling shot across the face of goal was deflected behind.

Scottish referee Willie Collum handed out some 11 yellow cards, four of which came after Hungary's goal as tempers threatened to boil over.