Milos Kerkez’s maiden international goal and a resolute defensive masterclass led by Willi Orbán silenced Georgia’s stars, revitalizing the Magyars’ promotion hopes with a crucial clean sheet.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia came to Budapest as Georgia’s biggest threat. Willi Orbán made sure he left without deciding the game.
The 33-year-old played the full 90 minutes as Marco Rossi's side beat Georgia 1-0 in Budapest, securing their first victory of this Nations League campaign and moving onto four points after three matches.
Milos Kerkez provided the decisive moment.
The Liverpool left-back arrived inside the penalty area in the 35th minute and headed Dániel Lukács' cross beyond Giorgi Mamardashvili for his first senior international goal.
Hungary still had plenty of work to do.
Georgia arrived with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Georges Mikautadze in attack, but Orbán started at the centre of Rossi's back four and helped keep both quiet as Hungary protected their narrow advantage.
There were moments when Georgia threatened. Balázs Tóth was required to make two saves shortly after the opening goal, while Kerkez blocked an effort from Kvaratskhelia before half-time.
After the break, Hungary gave their visitors very little.
The Hungarian Football Federation described a second half in which Georgia were restricted largely to half-chances as Rossi's defence protected the lead until the final whistle. Orbán remained in the middle of it throughout.
It continued an encouraging international break for the Leipzig defender.
Hungary began their Nations League campaign with a 1-0 home defeat against Ukraine before travelling to Belfast and holding Northern Ireland to a goalless draw. The clean sheet against Georgia means Orbán and Hungary have now gone 180 minutes without conceding.
Orbán remains one of Rossi's key players, and his usage so far has reinforced that status. He has started all three Nations League matches during this window.
His importance at club level has been just as clear.
Orbán scored in Leipzig's 5-0 victory over Hamburg before the international break, converting from Antonio Nusa's delivery as Martín Demichelis' side produced their most convincing performance of the young season. He then started alongside Castello Lukeba in the defeat at Bayer Leverkusen.
There is little time to rest.
Hungary travel to face Ukraine on Sunday with both countries sitting on four points. Northern Ireland currently lead the group after their 3-0 victory over Ukraine on Friday, making the next round particularly important in the fight at the top of League B Group 2.
Kerkez will not be available after collecting his second booking of the campaign against Georgia. Orbán, however, should once again be at the centre of Hungary's defence.
Two games without conceding have put Hungary back into the group.
Now comes Ukraine, a chance to avenge their opening defeat and an opportunity for Orbán and Hungary to turn a difficult beginning into something considerably more promising.
From here the stage only gets bigger.
