BUDAPEST, Hungary (Interstat) — Budapest Honved delivered a commanding performance Wednesday afternoon, defeating lower-division side Erzsebeti Spartacus MTK 2-0 in the Magyar Kupa round of 16 at Bozsik Aréna.

The match, played on Feb. 11, 2026, saw the top-flight hosts control proceedings for long stretches but only find the breakthrough in the final half-hour before adding a late insurance goal. The result sent Honved into the quarterfinals while ending the cup run for Erzsebeti Spartacus MTK, a club from the third-tier Nemzeti Bajnokság III.

Honved’s victory defied the pre-match projection from Interstat’s game simulator, which had forecast a surprising 1-0 win for the visitors. However, it strongly affirmed the statistical service’s separate ELO rating system, which had given Honved a 90.20 percent probability to advance.

The first half was characterized by Honved’s possession and probing attacks against a disciplined and deep-lying Spartacus defense. The visitors offered little threat going forward, focusing on maintaining their shape and frustrating the hosts. Clear chances were at a premium for Honved, with final passes often going astray in the face of determined defending.

The deadlock was finally broken on the hour mark. In the 60th minute, Honved midfielder Ákos Baki found space at the edge of the penalty area and unleashed a precise, low shot that beat the Spartacus goalkeeper to his right. The goal relieved growing tension in the stadium and shifted the tactical burden onto the visitors, who were forced to open up in search of an equalizer.

As Spartacus committed more men forward, spaces began to appear in their defense. Honved managed the game effectively, seeing out the Spartacus response before putting the result beyond any doubt late in regulation. In the 87th minute, forward Zoltán Medgyes secured the victory, finishing a clinical counter-attack to double Honved’s lead and ensure safe passage to the next round.

With the win, Budapest Honved improved its record in the Magyar Kupa this season to one win and no losses. The club’s overall record across all competitions now stands at one win and no losses. For Erzsebeti Spartacus MTK, the defeat marks their first loss in this season’s cup competition, setting their tournament record at no wins and one loss, mirroring their overall record for the young season.

The focus for Honved now turns to the quarterfinal draw, while Erzsebeti Spartacus MTK will return to league play, having exited the domestic cup after a resilient but ultimately outmatched performance against superior opposition.