Zalaegerszegi TE 3-1 Győri ETO FC: Second-Half Surge Sends Hosts Through in Hungary Cup

Zalaegerszegi TE produced a patient, powerful second-half performance to beat Győri ETO FC 3-1 in the Hungary Cup on 29 October 2026, turning a tense knockout tie into a convincing home victory. After falling behind early, the hosts equalized before half-time and then took control after the break, scoring twice more to secure their place in the next round.

Played at the ZTE Arena, the match had the edge of a proper cup encounter: two familiar Hungarian sides, a lively home crowd, and a Győri ETO team willing to defend deep and strike on the counter. For long spells it looked like the visitors might make the night uncomfortable, but Zalaegerszegi TE’s superior intensity and better use of the ball eventually told.

Match overview

Győri ETO FC started brightly and stunned the hosts by taking the lead inside the opening quarter of an hour. A quick transition ended with Levente Farkas finding space on the edge of the box, and his low finish gave the away side an early advantage. The goal forced Zalaegerszegi TE to play with more urgency, and the home midfield began to push higher up the pitch.

The equalizer arrived before half-time through Bence Sándor, who arrived late in the box to convert a well-worked move from the right. That goal changed the mood inside the stadium. Zalaegerszegi TE finished the first half on top and carried that momentum into the second period, pressing Győr back and forcing a series of corners and set-piece opportunities.

The hosts took the lead just before the hour mark when Dávid Kovács latched onto a loose ball in the penalty area and finished calmly. Győri ETO responded with a brief spell of pressure, but the best chances continued to fall to Zalaegerszegi TE. The win was sealed late on by Tamás Németh, whose close-range finish capped a strong individual display and ended any hopes of a Győr comeback.

Key moments

• 12th minute: Győri ETO FC take a surprise lead through Levente Farkas after a fast break.
• 39th minute: Bence Sándor equalizes for Zalaegerszegi TE with a composed finish inside the box.
• 58th minute: Dávid Kovács puts the hosts ahead after sustained pressure down the right flank.
• 71st minute: Győr goalkeeper Bence Pintér makes a sharp save to keep the deficit at one goal.
• 86th minute: Tamás Németh seals the win with a late third for Zalaegerszegi TE.

Tactical story

Zalaegerszegi TE’s comeback was built on a simple but effective adjustment. After conceding early, the hosts pushed their full-backs higher and asked their midfielders to win second balls closer to Győr’s penalty area. That allowed them to sustain attacks and pin the visitors back, especially after the interval.

Győri ETO FC, by contrast, became more reliant on counter-attacks as the game wore on. Their early goal was a reminder of how dangerous they can be in transition, but once Zalaegerszegi TE tightened their rest defense, those chances became rarer. The visitors also struggled to keep possession under pressure, which invited wave after wave of home attacks in the second half.

Standout players

Bence Sándor was central to Zalaegerszegi TE’s response, not only for his equalizing goal but for his movement between the lines. Dávid Kovács grew into the game and gave Győr’s defense a constant problem with his runs into the box. Tamás Németh’s late goal was a reward for a tireless performance, while goalkeeper Bence Pintér was one of Győri ETO’s better players despite the defeat.

What the result means

The 3-1 win sends Zalaegerszegi TE into the next round of the Hungary Cup with confidence and gives the squad a valuable morale boost. For Győri ETO FC, the result is a reminder of the fine margins in knockout football: they defended well for long periods but could not contain the hosts once Zalaegerszegi TE found their rhythm. The cup run may be over, but Győr can now turn their full attention to league commitments.