On Wednesday, Germany’s impressive start to Euro 2024 continued as they clinched a win against Hungary, securing their spot in the knockout stages.
Jamal Musiala, the standout forward from Bayern Munich, once again shone brightly, scoring the opening goal and delivering a commanding performance throughout the match. His skill and impact on the field earned him a standing ovation when he was substituted late in the second half.
The breakthrough came midway through the first half when Musiala capitalised on an opportunity set up by Ilkay Gundogan, who had controversially won the ball from Hungary’s Willi Orban. Despite protests from the Hungarian side, a VAR check upheld the decision, and Musiala celebrated his goal in front of Hungary’s supporters.
Hungary appeared to have leveled the score just before halftime when Roland Sallai found the net with a rebound header. However, the goal was disallowed for offside, leaving Hungary frustrated. The second half saw Germany extend their lead through Gundogan, who was left unmarked to slot the ball past Hungary’s goalkeeper, Peter Gulacsi.
READ ALSO: https://thecrux.com.ng/albania-stuns-croatia-in-a-dramatic-2-2-draw-at-euro-2024/
Despite Germany’s dominant performance in their previous 5-1 victory over Scotland, they faced a more challenging encounter against Hungary. The Hungarian team, led by Liverpool midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai, threatened Germany’s defence on several occasions. Szoboszlai showcased his prowess with set-pieces, forcing a crucial save from Germany’s goalkeeper, Manuel Neuer, and nearly scoring again in the first half but was denied by a superb block from Jonathan Tah.
Germany’s overall performance was solid, displaying creativity and control that ensured their progression to the next stage of the tournament. With six points from their opening two games, their place in the last 16 is secure. A win against Switzerland on Sunday would see them top Group A.
For Hungary, the defeat is a significant setback following their initial loss to Switzerland. They now face a must-win situation against Scotland to keep their hopes alive. Hungary’s manager, Marco Rossi, voiced his frustrations post-match, criticizing the referee and VAR decisions but acknowledged Germany’s superiority.
