New Delhi: In what was a rematch from UEFA Euro 2020, Germany took on Hungary in their fixture on matchday two. After playing out a 2-2 draw in the previous year’s edition, the hosts came into the match high on confidence after demolishing Scotland 5-1 on matchday one. Following a frantic start to the game, both teams looked set on getting the lead as the game went from one end to the other in the blink of an eye.
Choosing to start the same team that blew Scotland, Julien Nagelsmann’s side dominated the majority of the game and were finally rewarded in the 22nd minute for their efforts as a powerful strike by Jamal Musiala gave the hosts a well-deserved lead. To their credit, Hungary were always looking to get back into the game and kept the hosts on their toes, forcing Manuel Neuer into some crucial and impressive saves as Germany held onto their lead.
Hungary had a goal ruled out for offside late into the first half and that proved to be their last real chance till the 90th minute when Joshua Kimmich came to his side’s rescue, clearing the ball off the line to keep their clean sheet intact. Germany ultimately added to their advantage in the 67th minute as captain Ilkay Gundogan extended their lead to two goals with a neat finish past Peter Gulasci.
With this win, Germany moved to six points from two games ensuring that they become the first team to qualify for the group stages and putting them in a solid position to advance to the next round as group winners.
1) Germany’s first win over Hungary in a UEFA competition
Germany last defeated Hungary in 2016, making this their first win in eight years over the Hungarians (Photo by Christian Charisius/picture alliance via Getty Images)
When you look at the stature of both Germany and Hungary in terms of football, you can easily differentiate between who’s the favourite and who’s the underdog. However, when you take a look at the head-to-head record for both the the story seems a little different.
In a total of 38 games that have been played between the two sides, their record is almost identical as Germany have won 14, while Hungary have won an impressive 12 times. Having majorly played friendlies with each other, the last time Germany beat Hungary in a major tournament was a whopping 70 years ago, winning 3-2 against them in 1954.
Not just that, today’s win also proved to be Germany’s first win over Hungary in a UEFA competition as Die Mannschaft could only get a draw in their meeting at UEFA Euro 2020 and the UEFA Nations League fixture in 2022. Hungary would also go on to defeat Germany in the UEFA Nations League fixture in 2023 but couldn’t avoid a loss in the UEFA Euro 2024, marking their first loss to Germany in eight years.
2) The captain leads from the front.
Ilkay Gundogan was awarded the Vivo Player of the Match award for his performance against Hungary. (Photo by Chris Ricco – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
Germany captain Ilkay Gundogan led his team from the front to lead them into the knockout stages as Germany became the first team to qualify for the knockout rounds with a game to spare. Making his way back into the team after being injured during their match against Scotland, Gundogan started the game in the number 10 role, adding experience to a young German attack.
Playing a pivotal role in the game, Gundogan was all over the field as this German side kept on attacking the Hungarian goal and it was only fitting that he played an important role in the opening goal of the match. Gundogan crept his way into the opposition box and after some shabby defending from Willi Orban, Gundogan managed to get a pass to Jamal Musiala who put the Germans in the lead.
In the second half, as the game progressed, Ilkay Gundogan turned scorer from provider as he timed his run into the box well to be on the receiving end of an accurate Maximillian Mittelstadt low cross and guided the ball perfectly past Gulasci that ultimately wrapped things up for his side.
3) Manuel Neuer rolls back the years as Germany advance.
Manuel Neuer was on top form to keep Hungary at bay.(Photo by A4281 Christian Charisius/picture alliance via Getty Images)
For the past few years, a lot of questions have been raised over the inclusion of Manuel Neuer in the Germany squad for major tournaments and have been asking to drop the now 38-year-old from the national team. Germany have had a long history of amazing goalkeepers and Manuel Neuer is right at the very of that list.
Coming back from a long-term injury, there were again doubts over the Bayern Munich keeper’s ability to provide a solid platform for Germany but his display today would’ve put those doubts to bed. Neuer had a fantastic outing, keeping out brilliant efforts from Dominik Szoboszlai and Rolland Sallai ensuring that he maintains his clean sheet after a performance that once again reminded us of the Manuel Neuer that helped his side to the FIFA World Cup in 2014.
Making his 17th appearance in UEFA Euro history, he equalled Gigi Buffon’s record of being the goalkeeper with the most tournament appearances from a UEFA nation. Both Buffon and Neuer are tied at 36 appearances and Neuer will go clear of the Italian legend whenever he takes the field in this competition next.
In another thrilling encounter between these two sides, Germany picked up a comfortable 2-0 win over the Hungarians as goals from Jamal Musiala and Ilkay Gundogan ensure Germany’s qualification to the knockout rounds. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
