BUDAPEST (Interstat) — MTK Budapest defeated Vasas 1-0 on Friday in a football match, using an early Gyorgy Komaromi goal to secure a narrow home win. Komaromi scored in the 26th minute and finished with a statline of 90 minutes and one goal. MTK Budapest protected the lead through the second half, even after going a man down, and Vasas could not find an equalizer despite late pressure and a growing list of cautions. The game’s only goal arrived when Komaromi converted for the home side, and MTK Budapest then managed the match from in front. Vasas never found a response, and the final whistle confirmed a shutout for the hosts.

Vasas pushed forward for much of the closing hour but was repeatedly slowed by fouls and cards. Barath B. was booked in the 60th minute, Rab B. in the 62nd, Csoka Dan. in the 84th and Pavkovics B. in the 90th minute plus one. MTK Budapest’s Kovacs P. was sent off in the 76th minute, leaving the home side to defend its advantage with 10 players for the final stretch. The match grew increasingly physical as Vasas chased a goal, but MTK Budapest held its shape and kept the visitors off the scoreboard. The yellow cards disrupted Vasas’s rhythm, and the sending off changed the closing minutes. MTK Budapest dropped deeper and invited pressure, but Vasas could not break through.

Substitutions began at halftime for Vasas with Horvath R. entering. MTK Budapest made a change in the 65th minute with Jurek G. Vasas then made two changes in the 67th minute, bringing on Rab B. and Koszta M., and another in the 68th minute with Toth M. MTK Budapest’s Kerezsi Z. entered in the 76th minute. Both sides made changes in the 83rd minute, with Vasas bringing on Hidi S. and MTK Budapest bringing on Zubor A. G. The changes gave Vasas fresh legs in midfield and attack, but the visitors could not turn possession into a goal. MTK Budapest, meanwhile, used its substitutions to add defensive cover and slow the tempo. Vasas used all its changes to search for an equalizer.

With the result, Vasas’s record in this competition is now four wins, three losses and three draws. MTK Budapest’s record in this competition is now three wins, four losses and three draws. Across all competitions, Vasas is now eight wins, six losses and five draws. MTK Budapest is now three wins, four losses and three draws across all competitions. The home victory gave MTK Budapest a needed result in the competition, while Vasas missed a chance to add to its win column. The records reflect the result and leave both clubs with work to do in the competition.

Vasas entered the match after a mixed run that included a draw with Kisvarda, wins over Hod’vasarhely, Csepeli SC, Debreceni VSC, Nyiregyhaza and III. Kerulet, and losses to Erzsebeti Spartacus MTK, Ujpest, Gyulai and Puskas. MTK Budapest’s earlier results included losses to Paks, ETO, Kisvarda and Puskas, draws with Debreceni VSC, Ujpest and Honved, and wins over Nyiregyhaza and Zalaegerszeg. Those results shaped the records both sides carried into the match, but the night belonged to the home side because of Komaromi’s finish and MTK Budapest’s resilience after the red card.

Looking ahead, MTK Budapest is scheduled to face Ferencvarosi TC, Zalaegerszeg, Honved, Puskas, Ujpest, Nyiregyhaza, Debreceni VSC and Kisvarda in its next stretch of fixtures. Vasas is set to meet Bekescsabai 1912 Elore II, Monor, Paksi, ETO, Szeged II, Ferencvarosi TC, FC Dabas, Ferencvaros and Szegedi. The schedule offers both clubs quick chances to move on from the result, though the immediate focus for MTK Budapest will be building on a clean sheet and a one-goal win. MTK Budapest’s next fixtures include a run of league matches, while Vasas has a busier schedule across league and other competitions.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Vasas 3, MTK Budapest 1. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Vasas with a 77 percent probability to win. Those projections were made before kickoff.