The German national football team secured their second consecutive victory at Euro 2024. The hosts of the continental competition this time delighted the nation with a 2-0 triumph over the tough Hungarian team. Julian Nagelsmann’s squad faced some anxious moments against the “Magyars,” but goals from Jamal Musiala and Ilkay Gündoğan brought the priceless win at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Stuttgart. As a result, the “Mannschaft” has guaranteed their progress to the round of 16, which was just the starting goal for one of the favorites to win the trophy.
Manuel Neuer played a strong match in goal for Germany, making several crucial saves. The visitors’ hopes of escaping Group “A” were reduced to a minimum, and their footballing fate could have been very different had Szalai’s goal at the end of the first half not been ruled out for offside.
The match at the Mercedes-Benz Arena could have started in a sensational way. The Hungarians received an unexpected gift from the German defense, which did not properly assess the danger of Roland Szalai’s involvement. The winger was about to take the shot on goal, but Manuel Neuer was alert and decisively cleared the ball with his foot.
However, that was not all from the “Magyars,” who continued to put pressure on the favorites. Marco Rossi’s team had another good chance in the sixth minute when a deflected ball reached Bendeguz Bolla, who was already ready to take his shot, but unfortunately for him, the ball deflected off Andrej and went out for a corner.
Germany created their first clear scoring opportunity in the 11th minute. Kai Havertz showed determination and fought with Willi Orban for a seemingly impossible ball. The Arsenal striker then found himself with a shooting chance from a tight angle, which Gulacsi saved brilliantly with one hand. From the resulting corner, Andrej tried to score with a fantastic volley, which only found the body of a Hungarian opponent.
Hungary made a very good impression with their formation, with the visitors ready at any moment to switch from defense to attack, and vice versa. This visibly worried the Germans, who, in order to be as safe as possible against the quick Bola and Szalai, did not push the accelerator pedal to the maximum in their attacking moves.
Gradually, Germany found the right rhythm to their performance and the goal in the Hungarian goal came in the 21st minute. Marco Rossi’s team again had difficulties with a German attack through the center, which allowed captain Gündoğan to pop up from a second position. Willi Orban tried to stop the Manchester City star and seemed to have the physical advantage, but he was unable to take the ball away from No. 21. This deceived goalkeeper Gulacsi, who was beaten by Ilkay’s subsequent pass to Musiala. The “Mannschaft’s” big star had to overcome several Hungarian bodies wanting to stop his shot, but in the end, everything ended with an accurate shot into the net.
Hungary could have responded immediately to the challenge in the 24th minute. However, this time again, Manuel Neuer’s great class was evident. The goalkeeper deflected a very difficult free kick from the enemy captain, followed by a save with his foot on Vára’s attempt at an addition, which was met with cheers from the stands that equaled those in decibels for Musiala’s goal earlier.
In Stuttgart, it was impossible not to welcome with great emotion every breakthrough by their local boy – Jamal Musiala. In the 37th minute, “Bambi,” as he is nicknamed, entered the Hungarian penalty area with great class, dribbling the ball between the legs of an opponent. However, he lacked the finishing touch.
The Germans could have gone into the break with a much more comfortable lead. In the 43rd minute, Kimmich found Musiala, who did not hesitate and shot from the edge of the penalty area. The ball hit the outside of the net, even creating the visual illusion for some fans that the score had already been doubled.
The Germans could have gone into halftime with a much more comfortable lead. In the 43rd minute, Kimmich found Musiala, who didn’t hesitate and shot from the edge of the penalty area. The ball hit the outside of the net, even creating an illusion for some fans that the score had already been doubled.
The Hungarians could have had the last word in this half, if their joy in the 44th minute hadn’t been quickly extinguished by the offside signal. This happened after a cross from Szoboszlai, which was headed on by Orban. Neuer intervened, and the deflected ball was finished off by Szalai. However, the VAR system proved that two “Magyars” were already behind the German defense at the moment of the cross. This didn’t go down well with the away fans, who started chanting “UEFA, Mafia!”
Second Half
The second half began with both teams playing cautiously. The Germans weren’t in a rush to find the decisive second goal, but rather kept an eye on what the Hungarians might be capable of to change the course of events.
Fan favorite Toni Kroos could have scored for the “Bundesteam” in the 53rd minute. The midfielder positioned himself on the edge of the penalty area and sent a dipping shot that forced Gulacsi to intervene with one hand.
The German fans fell silent in the 59th minute when Sallai’s sharp run down the left flank ended with a perfect cross for Varga. Jonathan Tah missed the ball, and everything depended on the header from number 19. However, he sent the leather ball over the crossbar.
The hosts patiently waited for their moment to strike a decisive blow to the Hungarians. In the 66th minute, Maximilian Mittelstädt played a crucial role in the attack of the “Bundesteam” and finished his solo run with a pass around the penalty spot, where marking Gündoğan once again became an impossible mission for the visitors. So, it was an easy task for the captain, who elegantly directed the ball into the net for 2-0.
With their guard significantly down, the Hungarians could have quickly conceded another goal, but Gulacsi skillfully saved a very dangerous shot from the substitute Sané.
The tempo of the game dropped towards the end, and Julian Nagelsmann used the time to replace some of his key players.
Germany could have significantly complicated their final minutes if Joshua Kimmich hadn’t decisively cleared the ball from the goal line in the 89th minute. This dramatic moment came after Manuel Neuer lost an aerial duel with Adam, and Szalai was in position for a headed finish.
In the final round of matches in Group “A,” the Germans play Switzerland in Frankfurt. Hungary will try to add something to their zero points against Scotland.
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