Hungary drew level on points with second-placed Sweden in Group E after snatching a late winner over the Scandinavian side to seal a 2-1 win in their UEFA EURO 2012 qualifier in Budapest.

The match had looked set to finish in a draw after Christian Wilhelmsson's 60th-minute goal cancelled out Imre Szabics' opener for Hungary just before half-time. However, there was to be a late twist in the tale as Hungary, who missed an early penalty through Tamas Hajnal, claimed the points when Gergely Rudolf netted a 90th-minute clincher.

Hungary and Sweden now both have 15 points in Group E, although the latter have played a game less. Holland lead the way with a 100 per cent record in the group.

Sweden had netted nine times in their previous two qualifiers against Finland and Moldova and they came closest to breaking the deadlock first tonight when Zlatan Ibrahimovic tried his luck in the sixth minute, though his effort went wide.

Andreas Granqvist then sent a header wide from Kim Kallstrom's free-kick before Hungary earned themselves a great chance to take the lead after being awarded a 19th-minute penalty. Oscar Wendt was penalised for a handball inside the area, but the visitors were let off the hook as Hajnal's resulting spot-kick hit the crossbar.

Sweden looked determined to make the most of that escape and they came within a whisker of taking the lead in the 26th minute when Johan Elmander's shot hit the post. Elmander saw another effort go over before Kallstrom's 25-yard kick was tipped around the post by Hungary goalkeeper Gabor Kiraly.

It would be Hungary celebrating a half-time lead, however, as Szabics got on the end of Rudolf's pass to slot past Andreas Isaksson. That 44th-minute goal was the perfect way for Hungary to head in at half-time, and they looked set to build on that momentum at the start of the second period with Isaksson being called on to deny Rudolf and Hajnal in quick succession.

Sweden were creating chances of their own soon enough, though, and after Ibrahimovic had brought a save from Kiraly, the visitors equalised when Wilhelmsson tucked home Elmander's pass.

Sweden pushed for a winner but they would end up empty-handed after Rudolf struck for Hungary in the 90th minute, the striker firing into the roof of the net from close range following a cross from Tamas Priskin.