New Delhi: Ilkay Gündoğan set the stage for Jamal Musiala to score, then netted one himself, leading Germany to a commanding 2-0 victory over Hungary in Group A on Wednesday. This win secured the host nation as the first team to qualify for the knockout stages at Euro 2024.
With back-to-back victories, the Germans are assured of being at least one of the four best third-placed teams. They now have a chance to finish in the top two of their group, depending on the outcome of Scotland’s match against Switzerland on Wednesday.
That scenario would also prevent Hungary from finishing in the top two.
Musiala, playing in his hometown, gave the Germans the lead in the 22nd minute of the game after some horrible defending by the Hungary players led to the ball poked into his path by Barcelona midfielder Ilkay Gundogan, and the 21-year-old did not had any second thoughts and hammered the ball via a defender.
there was goal ruled out in the first half stoppage tie for Hungary and many decent chances were missed by Roland Sallai. Gundogan delivered a man of the match performance as he scored a stunner in the 67th minute of the game with a simple finish after a clinical build-up.
This victory turned out to be Germany’s first win over Hungary since the 1954 World Cup final. That was first of Germany’s four world titles, and fans are now dreaming of a fourth European Championship triumph too, and on home 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 said.
“Germany are always in the favourites’ circle but we need to do our homework. We play the toughest group team next.”
Amid a vibrant atmosphere in Stuttgart, where thousands of fans had spent the day reveling in festivities, the match kicked off under the watchful eyes of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.
On the eve of the match, Hungary’s manager Marco Rossi emphasized the importance of avoiding mistakes. However, just 22 minutes in, his side faltered.
Defender Willi Orban attempted to shoulder-barge Ilkay Gundogan in his own penalty area but ended up on the ground. This allowed the German captain to pull the ball back to Jamal Musiala, who fired it in off defender Attila Fiola, while several Hungarian players paused, appealing for a foul.
After a quick check, VAR confirmed the goal.
Despite this setback, Hungary responded admirably. Shortly afterward, Dominik Szoboszlai’s free-kick forced Manuel Neuer to make a spectacular dive to the top corner to parry the shot away.
Hungary players thought that they have equalised the score when Sallai headed in form a rebound, but it was ruled out for offside. and it had another chance to level after halftime when Barnabas Varga headed over the bar.
But Germans stayed compact with their defence and attack as Musiala continuing to be a menance for the Hungary defence. He was also involved in the build-up when Gundogan doubled their lead in the 67th by sweeping 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,” Gundogan, 33, said.
Germany was able to keep the ball for majority of the time in the match as it assured its place in the next round ahead of a final group game against Switzerland on Sunday.
Hungary could still progress if it beats Scotland and other results go in its favour.
“We made some mistakes, but some mistakes in football happen, you can make mistakes. Teams like Germany and other world class teams play better than us, we know that. I’d say Germany is possibly the biggest favourite to win the Euro,” Rossi said.
