Germany’s 2-0 victory over Hungary on June 19th night advanced them to an early EURO 2024 knockout round encounter.

German fans witnessed a heart-stopping moment in the opening minute. Roland Sallai came dangerously close to the goal because the EURO home defense lacked focus in their performance. With decisive movement, Manuel Neuer cleared the ball just before the opposing striker finished.

Finally, in the fifth minute, Kai Havertz’s shot gave Germany a response. But the ball was light and did not pose a threat to the Hungarian goalkeeper.

Havertz made a great move to push past defender Orban in the twelfth minute. His strong close-range attempt, however, was unable to beat goalie Gulacsi, the final stopper. It was Robert Andrich’s time to swing his foot to the finish at the next curve. After striking a player from Hungary, the ball left the field.

Almost immediately after Havertz’s effort, Germany took the lead.

 

Germany almost opened the scoring after Havertz’s effort.

After half-time, Germany pressed the field with 67% possession. “Die Mannschaft” made many combinations in the middle but lacked precision in the final touches.

The Hungarian defense was playing well but suddenly made a mistake. In the 22nd minute, Orban shielded the ball but then missed the ungainly guy right in front of the goal. Gundogan took the opportunity to return the favor and Musiala stepped up and kicked the visitors’ net from close range.

Musiala scored in two consecutive matches at EURO.

Musiala scored in two consecutive matches at EURO.

Musiala scored in two consecutive matches at EURO.

Musiala scored in two consecutive matches at EURO.

 

Musiala scored in two consecutive matches at EURO.

In the 26th minute, Hungary almost equalized. Neuer had to show all his skills to save Germany, after an impressive free kick by Dominik Szoboszlai.

Despite the advantage, Germany did not reduce the pressure. The home team continuously stuffed the ball into the Hungarian penalty area. In the 40th minute, coach Nagelsmann and his team almost scored a second goal, after a clumsy move by the white-shirted defenders.

The first half ended with another heart-stopping moment for the home fans. Sallai scored a rebound past Neuer but Hungary’s goal was ruled out for offside. With Szoboszlai’s talent, Hungary proved to be especially dangerous in set pieces.

Hungary regretted the denied goal.

 

Hungary regretted the denied goal.

Right at the beginning of the second half, Hungary’s goal continued to wobble. In the 54th minute, Gundogan and Kroos finished decisively, forcing Gulacsi to struggle to block.

In the 60th minute, Hungary had the best chance of the match. After a cross from the left wing, Barnabas Varga jumped high and headed the ball just wide of the German goal.

When hope had just flashed, Hungary collapsed after Germany’s programmed coordination in the 67th minute. From the middle, Musiala pushed the ball to the left wing. Maximilian Mittelstadt made a cross just in range for captain Gundogan to connect, not giving Gulacsi a chance to block.

Gundogan decided the match in Stuttgart.

Gundogan decided the match in Stuttgart.

 

 

 

Gundogan decided the match in Stuttgart.

The match ended with a victory for Germany. After 2 matches, coach Nagelsmann and his team have 6 points and officially became the first team to enter the knockout round of EURO 2024.

Whatever the scenario, Germany will still be above Scotland and Hungary, due to their superior head-to-head record. This is a factor that is taken into account, second only to points at this year’s EURO.

Ranking of teams in group A.

 

 

Ranking of teams in group A.

The starting lineup of Germany and Hungary.