SZEGED, Hungary (Interstat) — Aljosa Matko scored twice in a 27-minute appearance and Ujpest defeated Szeged 3-1 on Thursday, turning a tight match with two late goals. Tizian Scharmer gave Ujpest the lead in the 10th minute, Kristof Toth-Gabor equalized for Szeged in the 35th, and Matko struck in the 75th and 86th to secure the visitors’ win. Ujpest improved to 1-0 in the competition and 1-2-2 across all competitions. Szeged fell to 0-1 in the competition and 2-5-4 overall. The visitors made their advantage count after a triple substitution in the 63rd minute reshaped the attack.

Scharmer’s opener came after Ujpest pressed early and forced Szeged into a hurried clearance. The home side responded with a more patient spell and found its equalizer when Toth-Gabor finished a move that stretched Ujpest’s defense. Szeged had chances to take the lead before halftime, but Ujpest regrouped after the break and began to find space behind Szeged’s midfield. Ujpest made a triple substitution in the 63rd minute to change the attacking shape, and Matko provided the finishing touch. His first goal in the 75th restored Ujpest’s advantage, and his second in the 86th gave the visitors breathing room. Scharmer was booked in the 55th, while Matko was cautioned in the 88th. Ujpest’s late control limited Szeged to hopeful crosses and long-range efforts.

Szeged’s discipline frayed as it chased the game. Zvekanov was booked in the 67th, Toth B. was cautioned in the 85th, and the home side’s late pressure lacked a final ball. Ujpest defended with numbers and kept Szeged from creating a clear chance after Matko’s second goal. The closing stages were scrappy, with fouls breaking up play and Ujpest content to protect its lead. Szeged made an early substitution in the 38th and further changes in the 66th and 73rd, but the adjustments did not produce a second goal. Ujpest’s bench also played a role, with the 63rd-minute changes shifting the match. The visitors’ back line dealt with a handful of crosses in the final 10 minutes and held on without further alarm.

Toth-Gabor’s goal was Szeged’s only breakthrough, and the home side could not build on it. Scharmer’s early strike and yellow card made him a central figure for Ujpest, while Matko’s two-goal burst proved decisive. Ujpest’s competition record now stands at one win and no losses. Szeged is still seeking its first competition win. Across all competitions, Ujpest has one win, two losses and two draws, while Szeged has two wins, five losses and four draws. The result continued a difficult stretch for Szeged, which had lost to DVTK after a win at Karcagi and a draw with Mezokovesd-Zsory. Ujpest entered after losses to Gyor and Puskas Academy and draws with Honved and Videoton. Ujpest will next face Nyiregyhaza, while Szeged’s schedule continues with a trip to Nagykanizsa.

Szeged’s best spell came before halftime, when Toth-Gabor’s goal briefly gave the home side belief. After the break, however, Ujpest’s midfield won more second balls and forced Szeged to defend deeper. The visitors’ substitutions added fresh legs, and Matko’s movement pulled Szeged’s center backs out of position. Scharmer’s willingness to run at defenders created space on the left, while Ujpest’s midfield screened the back line effectively. Szeged’s late yellow cards reflected its frustration as the clock ran down. Ujpest’s players managed the game calmly in the final minutes.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Szeged 2, Ujpest 2. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Ujpest with a 76.4 percent probability to win. Ujpest had been installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of -1.5. The total score of 4 went under the over/under line of 2.5.