Euro-2024: Germany qualified for the eighth by beating Hungary

Germany qualified for the round of 16 of its Euro-2024 on Wednesday, beating Hungary 2-0. Stuttgart, after having plucked Scotland 5-1 in the opening.

Jamal Musiala, the new darling of the German public, opened the scoring (1-0, 22nd) and captain Ilkay Gündogan doubled the lead after the break (2-0, 67th).

With six points, the Mannschaft is guaranteed to finish at worst among the four best thirds in the group, which de facto ensures its qualification.

After years of lean times, the five-time world champions were expected to confirm the improvement that had appeared in recent weeks. The result of this second match against Hungary could depend not only on their status as favorite but, more importantly, the enthusiasm of an entire country, impatient to find a competitive national team.

Hungarian goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi beaten by Gündogan's shot, which gave Germany its second goal on Wednesday and its qualification for the round of 16 of Euro-2024. © AFP – Tobias SCHWARZ

Coach Julian Nagelsmann had retained the same starting lineup as against Scotland, but the opposition was much more solid. Hungary wanted to redeem themselves after their non-match against Switzerland (1-3), and avoid a premature exit from the tournament.

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After ten seconds of play, Manuel Neuer saved Germany from a catastrophic start by coming out at the feet of Roland Sallai. The tone was set. The match was open, intense and punctuated by several opportunities on both sides.

Munich Musiala was the first to crack the opposing defense. Served behind in the area by Gündogan, following a mix-up in the Hungarian defense, he followed up an oriented control and a victorious shot (1-0).

German fans exult after their team qualified for the round of 16 of Euro-2024, in front of a giant screen in Berlin on Wednesday June 19. © AFP – Jörg CARSTENSEN

But Hungary did not give up. A few minutes later, Neuer released an alien trigger to push back a direct free kick from Dominik Szoboszlai (26th) into the top corner.

The mano mano continued after the break. Peter Gulacsi, the Hungarian goalkeeper, also stood out on a shot from Toni Kroos (56th). Barnabas Varga narrowly missed the target with his header while Neuer was beaten (59th).

But Gündogan, passer on the first goal, doubled the lead with an uncontrolled restart at the penalty spot, at the conclusion of a collective action school, one touch of the ball (2-0, 67th).

The end of the match turned to the advantage of the Germans, but the Hungarian defense held Good. For the Magyars, it will now take a combination of circumstances to hope to get out of the group. Germany, on the other hand, has fulfilled the first part of its contract.

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