Kozármisleny SE avoided any hint of a cup upset on 12 September 2026, winning 3-1 away at Mateszalkai MTK in the Hungarian Cup. The visitors controlled long stretches of the contest, took their chances when they arrived, and absorbed a late push from the home side to book their place in the next round.

Match Overview

Mateszalkai MTK came into the tie with nothing to lose and set up accordingly, defending in numbers and looking to spring counter-attacks through the channels. For half an hour, the plan worked reasonably well: Kozármisleny enjoyed plenty of the ball but found clear openings hard to come by against a compact, disciplined defensive block.

The deadlock broke before the interval, and once the first goal went in, the shape of the match changed completely. Kozármisleny's confidence grew, their passing became sharper, and Mateszalkai were forced to come out of their shell — exactly the scenario the away side wanted.

Key Moments

• Opening goal: Kozármisleny found the breakthrough with a well-worked move that pulled the home defence out of position.
• Doubling the lead: A second goal early in the second half gave the visitors breathing room and forced Mateszalkai to commit men forward.
• Home response: Mateszalkai halved the deficit with a determined finish, briefly raising hopes of a comeback.
• Killing the tie: Kozármisleny restored their two-goal cushion shortly after, ending the contest as a meaningful fight.

Tactical Story

Kozármisleny's advantage came through patience rather than raw power. Their midfield rotated the ball from side to side, dragging Mateszalkai's defensive line across the pitch and creating gaps between the full-backs and centre-backs. Once those gaps appeared, the visitors attacked them directly.

Mateszalkai's goal was a reward for their refusal to fold, and their direct running caused a few uncomfortable moments. But the step up in quality told in the final third, where Kozármisleny were sharper in front of goal and more composed in transition.

Standout Performers

Kozármisleny's midfield engine room set the tone, dictating tempo and winning the second balls that decided the rhythm of the game. The goalscorers will take the headlines, but the defensive organisation that limited Mateszalkai to a handful of genuine chances was just as important. For the hosts, their goalscorer and goalkeeper were the standout figures on a difficult evening.

What It Means

A 3-1 away win in knockout football is exactly the kind of professional, low-drama result that coaches want. Kozármisleny move forward with momentum, while Mateszalkai exit the Hungarian Cup with a respectable performance against stronger opposition and a valuable experience for their squad.