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Declan Rice slams 'pathetic' Hungary star as England held to draw after penalty decision
England were forced to settle for a point against Hungary on Tuesday evening.
England v Hungary: Match in pictures
England midfielder Declan Rice launched a post-match dig at Hungary defender Loic Nego after the latter's reaction to a high foot from Luke Shaw during Tuesday evening's 1-1 draw between the two nations. The Three Lions were forced to share the spoils at Wembley Stadium, with a first-half equaliser from John Stones rescuing a point for the hosts.
Hungary took an early lead through Roland Sallai, who converted a penalty after just 24 minutes after Shaw came close to striking Nego's head with his boot inside the area.
The Manchester United defender was trying to clear the ball, but was adjudged to have lifted his leg too high and the visitors were duly awarded a spot-kick.
England drew level through Stones as half-time approached but were unable to get their noses in front despite enjoying the lion's share of possession and chances.
Rice was quizzed on the penalty incident after the final whistle and the West Ham United star did not mince his words as he called out Nego for his dramatic reaction to Shaw's high foot.
"Look, when you put your foot up that high - the way he went down was a bit pathetic if I’m being honest, he’s holding his head - if you put your foot up like that now it’s a penalty, but I’m going to say it’s not," Rice told ITV Sport.
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The England man went on to issue due praise to Hungary for their resolute display at the back which kept their faint hopes of World Cup qualification alive.
He also jumped to the defence of his side's own performance after a largely dominant showing that simply lacked the decisive blow required to claim all three points.
"You sometimes have to give credit to how the opposition set up," added Rice.
"Hungary were much better than they were when we played them away, they were really tight, compact, worked hard when you play against low-blocks.
"It’s hard for our attacking players to create stuff but still think we did enough to win the game.
"You can say it [England's performance] was poor because we drew the game but we dominated.
"Silly penalty to give away, had to keep our heads, keep playing but we just couldn’t find that killing touch at the end to get the win."
Meanwhile, Rice's post-match frustrations over the crucial penalty decision were shared by England team-mate Stones, who questioned the referee's logic in awarding the spot-kick to Hungary.
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"My initial thought was no penalty straight away because of how he moved his head down towards Luke Shaw's foot," Stones told BBC Radio 5 Live.
"He made a meal of it. I don't think there was contact. I don't know if he [the referee] has looked at it long enough.
"It was disappointing. Those go on all the time in the middle of the pitch and nothing happens.
"It's frustrating to concede and not get back on the clean sheet run."