Hungary inflict second defeat in a week on struggling Wales

Mate Patkai raced onto Adam Szalai’s lay-off to drill the winner home with 10 minutes left. They lead the group with nine points from four games, three ahead of second-placed Slovakia.

Ryan Giggs’s side, beaten 2-1 by Croatia on Saturday, saw their best chance fall to Gareth Bale in the second half but the Real Madrid striker produced a tame finish that failed to trouble goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi.

The Euro 2016 semi-finalists are fourth with three points from three games, six points behind the Hungarians.

Marek Hamsik became Slovakia’s all-time top scorer when he struck twice in a 5-1 away win at Azerbaijan. He scored his 24th goal to overtake previous record holder Robert Vitek.

The result left Pavel Hapal’s side ahead of Croatia on goal difference.

(Reporting by Alasdair Mackenzie, editing by Pritha Sarkar)