Hungary beats Iceland 3-2 in qualifier

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) -- Zoltan Gera scored one goal and set up two others, including Imre Szabics' winner in the 80th minute, to lead Hungary to a 3-2 victory over Iceland in a World Cup qualifying game.

Gera, who plays for West Bromwich Albion in the English Premier League, also rallied the defense in giving Lothar Matthaeus his first victory in a competitive match as coach of Hungary after a 5-4 record in friendlies.

The victory comes after a 3-0 loss to Croatia on Saturday and leaves Hungary tied with Sweden and Bulgaria with three points in European Group 8, three behind Croatia.

Iceland lead in the 39th minute on a head header from Chelsea's Eidur Gudjohnsen in the 39th minute. It took until the 63rd minute for Gera to equalize, heading in a cross from Denes Rosa.

Second-half substitute Sandor Torghelle put Hungary ahead 2-1 in the 75th minute after a pass from Gera, but Indridi Sigurdsson drew Iceland even two minutes later.

Gera set up VfB Stuttgart's Szabics, who beat Iceland goalkeeper Arni Gautur Arason for the go-ahead goal.

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Hungary: Gabor Kiraly, Gabor Gyepes, Roland Juhasz, Andras Toth, Zoltan Szelesi (Imre Szabics, 46th minute), Balazs Molnar, Denes Rosa, Laszlo Bodnar, Zoltan Gera, Peter Simek (Zsolt Low, 90), Peter Kovacs (Sandor Torghelle, 66).

Iceland: Arni Gautur Arason, Olafur Bjarnason, Kristjan Sigurdsson, Arnar Vidarsson, Indridi Sigurdsson, Arnar Gretarsson (Veigar Gunnarsson, 86), Hermann Hreidarsson, Johannes Gudjonsson, Eidur Gudjohnsen (Helgi Sigurdsson, 86), Thordur Gudjonsson, Heidar Helguson.

Referee: Tom Ovrebo (Norway).