June 23, (THEWILL)- In a match that pundits believed the German machines were going to run roughshod over the Hungarians, especially after Germany whitewashed a Cristiano Ronaldo-led Portugal in the lead up to Wednesday’s game, Germany was the side that had to dig deep to find the reserves for an equaliser for a 2-2 final score.
As hard to comprehend as it was, given the difference in quality between the two teams, it took a late Leon Goretzka goal to earn Germany their spot in the last 16, especially as it looked unreal that they were on the verge of exiting the competition completely before that goal.
The draw however pushed Die Mannschaft back to second behind group leaders France while Portugal, the competition’s defending champions, struggled to the second draw of the Group of Death and finished third. The second-place finish for Germany means they will next clash against the Three Lions of England in the round of 16.
Germany manager Joachim Low, who is playing in his final tournament as team coach before he leaves the job he has held for the better of 15 years, will recognise that they must play better for a memorable farewell for him. Because, while Hungary gave a good account of themselves as they return home, the same could not be said of Germany.
The Germans have underwhelmed fans and supporters and apart from the Portugal fixture have shown so little of what was expected of them. In fact two of the four goals they put past the Portuguese were own goals.
Without own goals on Wednesday, Germany struggled. In the Munich rain that pelted the players, Germany started well, but Hungary defended stoutly and showed enterprising intent on the counterattacking football they must have practiced to perfection in training.
Their peppering of the German backline paid off in the 10th minute. Roland Sallai crossed brilliantly for Adam Szalai to find the perfect angle of his body to head the ball past Manuel Neuer in the German goal, who skidded off the soggy turf.
The German attack was frustrated by their continuous but fruitless struggle for inroads into the Hungarian danger area while the Hungarians remained a regular threat on the counter. The first half ended without success for the Germans and with no other goal for Hungary.
In the second period, six minutes after the hour, Kai Havertz displayed his ability to create something out of nothing when he was at the right place at the opportune time to head home Hungarian keeper Peter Gulasci’s mistimed attempt to punch out a Joshua Kimmich’s free-kick.
Just as the Germans were still basking in the euphoria of having done enough to see them through, Hungary launched an attack. The intelligent play from Szalai forward, put the ball in between Leroy Sane and Mats Hummels, allowing Andras Schafer to burst between them and beat Neuer once more.
Although coach Low made a pair of changes to inject fresh bodies for the German push, it was Leon Goretzka’s finish that spared the Germans disappointment and enough to skip over the holders Portugal into second place. Only an improved match against Gareth Southgate’s England will save Low from retiring poorly
About the Author
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.
