Germany secured a commanding 2-0 victory over Hungary in Group A on Wednesday, courtesy of objectives from Jamal Musiala and Ilkay Gündoğan. This win not solely propelled the host nation to the highest of their group but in addition earned them the excellence of being the primary staff to advance to the knockout stage at Euro 2024.
Having triumphed in each of their matches up to now, Germany’s development is assured, with a assured placement among the many prime 4 third-placed groups. Their placement within the group’s prime two hinges on Scotland’s efficiency in opposition to Switzerland later within the day.
A victory for Switzerland wouldn’t solely cement Germany’s spot within the prime two but in addition sprint Hungary’s hopes of ending among the many group’s prime contenders.
Musiala, taking part in in his hometown, gave the Germans the lead within the twenty second minute after some horrendous Hungarian defending led to the ball being poked into his path by Gündoğan, and the 21-year-old wanted no second invitation, hammering the ball in through a defender.
Roland Sallai had a purpose dominated out in first-half stoppage time for Hungary, and so they wasted quite a lot of different respectable probabilities earlier than Gündoğan, in a man-of-the-match efficiency, scored within the 67th minute with a easy end after a medical buildup.
While few can have wager in opposition to the house facet, it was, in actual fact, Germany’s first aggressive win over Hungary for the reason that 1954 World Cup closing. That was the primary of Germany’s 4 world titles, and followers at the moment are dreaming of witnessing a fourth European Championship triumph too, and on house soil.
“You can feel when you see the euphoria of the people. The atmosphere is good and happy it is taking place here,” goalkeeper Manuel Neuer stated.
“Germany is always in the favorites’ circle, but we need to do our homework. We play the toughest group team next.”
Febrile environment
Watched by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, the match started in a febrile environment, with 1000’s of followers having spent the day partying round Stuttgart.
Hungary supervisor Marco Rossi stated on the eve of the match that his facet couldn’t afford to make any errors. But that is precisely what they did after 22 minutes.
Defender Willi Orban went to shoulder-barge Gündoğan in his personal space however got here off the more severe for it and fell over. The German captain was then in a position to pull the ball again to Musiala, who smashed it in off defender Attila Fiola, whereas some Hungary gamers had stopped and had been interesting for a foul.
VAR confirmed the purpose after a fast verify.
Hungary responded effectively, with Neuer having to dive throughout to the highest nook to parry away a Dominik Szoboszlai free kick shortly after.
They then thought they’d equalized on the stroke of halftime when Sallai headed in from a rebound, nevertheless it was dominated out for offside. And they’d one other likelihood to stage after halftime when Barnabas Varga headed over the bar.
But the Germans stored making use of stress, with Musiala specifically persevering with to be a menace for the Hungary protection. He was additionally concerned within the buildup when Gündoğan doubled their lead within the 67th by sweeping in a low cross from Maximilian Mittelstadt.
“We are getting better, but as we improve, we have to overcome some problems; that is what this game showed today, especially in the first half. But that’s the tournament – you have to survive such situations. We survived and then hit back,” Gündoğan, 33, stated.
Germany was in a position to hold possession and run the clock down as they assured their place within the subsequent spherical forward of a closing group sport in opposition to Switzerland on Sunday.
Hungary might nonetheless progress in the event that they beat Scotland and different outcomes go of their favor.
Source: www.dailysabah.com