FELCSÚT, Hungary (Interstat) — Debrecen scored twice in the final six minutes and defeated Puskas Academy (Hun) 3-1 on Sunday. Blaz Boskovic gave Debrecen the lead in the seventh minute, Andras Nemeth equalized for Puskas Academy in the 38th, and the match remained tied until Bence Batik scored in the 85th. Sohan Baldoni added the final goal in the first minute of second-half stoppage time, completing a late surge that turned a level match into a road victory for Debrecen. The visitors scored two of their three goals after the 80th minute.

Debrecen needed little time to take control of the scoreboard. Boskovic found the net in the seventh minute, giving the visitors an early advantage. Puskas Academy answered before halftime when Nemeth scored in the 38th minute. That same minute included a yellow card for Debrecen’s Hofmann. Boskovic was booked in the 43rd, and Puskas Academy’s Duarte was booked in the 44th. The first half ended with the teams level, but the match grew more physical after the break. Puskas Academy’s Ormonde-Ottewill was booked in the 56th minute and again in the 74th. Debrecen’s Mejias was booked in the 64th, and Kocsis was booked in the 67th. Puskas Academy’s Okeke received a yellow card in the 84th, while Debrecen’s Patai was booked in the 90th. The match had nine yellow cards in total.

The decisive stretch came after Puskas Academy had held the tie into the closing stages. Batik scored in the 85th minute to restore Debrecen’s lead, and Baldoni scored in the 90th minute plus stoppage time to make it 3-1. Debrecen’s final two goals came in the 85th minute and in stoppage time after the teams had traded earlier goals. The goals came after Debrecen had absorbed pressure and after several substitutions changed the shape of the closing minutes. Puskas Academy made changes in the 53rd minute with Kern and Dardai, in the 68th with Lukacs, and in the 88th with Duarte and Nemeth. Debrecen’s substitutions included Lang in the 40th minute, Samper, Denes and Egri in the 59th, and Dzsudzsak in the 86th. Lang recorded an assist while playing 40 minutes.

Key performances for Puskas Academy included Nemeth, who played 88 minutes and scored once. For Debrecen, Boskovic played 90 minutes, scored once and received a yellow card. Batik played 50 minutes and scored once. Baldoni played 31 minutes and scored once. Guerrero played 90 minutes and recorded one assist. Szendrei played 90 minutes and recorded one assist. Lang played 40 minutes and recorded one assist.

Debrecen’s record in this competition is now three wins, no losses and one draw. Puskas Academy’s competition record is now two wins and two losses. Across all competitions, Debrecen is now four wins, no losses and one draw. Puskas Academy is now three wins and two losses across all competitions. Debrecen remained unbeaten in the competition, while Puskas Academy dropped its second competition match.

Debrecen entered the match after a 3-2 win at Csepel, a 2-0 win at Honved, a 3-0 home win over Zalaegerszegi and a 1-1 draw at Ferencvaros. Puskas Academy had beaten DVTK 2-1, lost 2-1 at home to Nyiregyhaza, won 1-0 at Ujpest and won 1-0 at Gyor. The visitors carried that form into the closing minutes and found the goals needed to separate the teams. Puskas Academy had answers for much of the match but could not hold the tie after Batik’s late goal.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Puskas Academy 1, Debrecen 1. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Debrecen with an 83.1 percent probability to win. Puskas Academy had been installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of -0.25. The total score of 4 went under the over/under line of 2.75.