ZTE Advances to Hungarian Cup Final After Dramatic Victory Over Honvéd in Extra Time

Zalaegerszegi Torna Egylet (ZTE) has secured its place in the 2025/26 Magyar Kupa final after a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Budapest Honvéd in the first leg of the semifinal, played at the Puskás Aréna on April 21, 2026. The match ended 1-1 after extra time, with ZTE prevailing 5-3 in the shootout to advance to the country’s premier cup final.

The decisive clash saw ZTE take an early lead through a goal from their captain, Gergely Mim, who has been the team’s top scorer this season with ten goals across all competitions. Honvéd equalized late in regular time, forcing the match into extra time. Neither side managed to break the deadlock during the additional 30 minutes, leading to a penalty shootout.

We showed incredible character and belief to come back from behind and win on penalties. This is for the fans who have supported us all season.

Gergely Mim, ZTE captain

The victory marks ZTE’s first appearance in the Magyar Kupa final since the 2020/21 season and sets up a highly anticipated showdown against either Ferencváros or Újpest, who are set to contest the second semifinal. ZTE will now prepare for the final, scheduled to take place at the Puskás Aréna in May 2026, where they will aim to claim their first major trophy since winning the Magyar Kupa in 2019.

ZTE’s journey to the final has been defined by resilience, particularly in cup competition. Earlier in the tournament, they recorded a 4-0 away victory over Hatvan in the Magyar Kupa, their biggest win of the season. Their path has also included narrow escapes, such as a 1-0 home win against Nyíregyháza in an earlier round, which highlighted their ability to grind out results when needed.

Honvéd, despite their strong league form this season — including being unbeaten in seven of their last eight Nemzeti Bajnokság I matches — were unable to overcome ZTE’s determination in the cup semifinal. The Budapest side had pushed for an equalizer late in the match and came close during extra time, but ultimately fell short in the shootout.

With the final now within reach, ZTE will look to build on their recent momentum. The team has shown improvement under manager Gábor Márton, who has guided them to a mid-table finish in the league while prioritizing cup success. Their defensive organization and set-piece threat have been key factors in their knockout-stage progress.

The Magyar Kupa final represents a significant opportunity for ZTE to add silverware to their history. As one of Hungary’s historic clubs, founded in 1920, a cup victory would mark a meaningful achievement for the Zalaegerszeg-based side and provide a fitting climax to a hard-fought campaign.