June 19, (THEWILL) – Germany made it two wins from two games at Euro 2024 by beating Hungary 2-0, overcoming a stern test to book their place in the last-16.
Having had things their own way from the off in a 5-1 rout of Scotland, Germany were put under more pressure by a Hungary side chasing a response to their defeat at the hands of Switzerland.
Marco Rossi’s side created several good chances in front of a nervous crowd in Stuttgart, however, they failed to make them count as Jamal Musiala and Ilkay Gundogan scored either side of half-time.
Julian Nagelsmann’s hosts are now assured of a place in the knockout rounds and can win Group A when they face Switzerland on Sunday. Hungary’s best chance of qualifying, meanwhile, is now as one of the best third-place finishers, with Scotland their opponents on matchday three.
Just 15 seconds had been played when Manuel Neuer was worked for the first time, smothering Roland Sallai’s attempt following some hesitant Germany defending. The hosts soon got on top, though, and they made their dominance of possession count after 22 minutes. Willi Orban appealed in vain for a foul after being nudged by Gundogan, who teed up Musiala to lash home with Peter Gulacsi grounded.
Neuer then had to remain alert to keep out Dominik Szoboszlai’s free-kick, and Germany survived another massive scare on the stroke of half-time. Sallai reacted quickest to convert on the rebound after Neuer was forced into action by Orban’s header, only for an offside flag against the RB Leipzig captain to deny Hungary.
Another huge chance went begging for Hungary on the hour mark, Barnabas Varga failing to direct his header on target after being picked out by Sallai’s left-wing cross. Hungary were punished for their wastefulness seven minutes later, with Maximilian Mittelstadt’s cutback finding Gundogan in space and allowing him to sweep into the bottom-right corner to give the hosts daylight.
Hungary almost got one back late on as Neuer spilt a looping cross, but Joshua Kimmich got back on the line to clear Martin Adam’s shot and preserve the shutout.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
