Football EM: Germany made it to the last sixteen

The Germans had to tremble up to the 84th minute of the game before Leon Goretzka achieved the redeeming compensation for the hosts and thus fixed the promotion to the knockout phase. The Hungarians had taken the lead through Adam Szalai (11th). After Kai Havertz (66th) had equalized, Andras Schäfer (68th) brought the Hungarians forward again and at the same time created great tension.

In the round of 16, the Germans will meet England on Tuesday (6 p.m.) at London’s Wembley Stadium. France will face Switzerland in the last 16 on Monday (9 p.m.), defending champions Portugal will face Belgium on Sunday (9 p.m.). All games can be seen live on ORF1.

Exciting starting position

With the convincing 4-2 win against defending champions Portugal after falling behind, the Germans got the upper hand and demonstrated their heart and quality for the first time at this European Championship. They had missed both before against world champions France. For team boss Löw and his team it was clear: The promotion should be fixed against Hungary, although the Germans showed respect for the outsider despite the home crowd in heavy rain in Munich.

Incidentally, it had rained in the last compulsory duel between the two, when Germany lost to Hungary in the preliminary round at the 1954 World Cup and later won its first World Cup title (“Miracle of Bern”). The fourth European title is still a long way off. The starting position in Group F was precarious anyway and left room for interpretation.

If they had won against Hungary, the DFB-Elf would have been able to take first place in the group, ahead of France and Portugal. But even the early departure was not ruled out with the kick-off: If Germany had lost to Hungary, the Löw selection would have been the end of the line – it almost got that far. But that’s how the farewell tournament continues for the German team boss.

Cold shower through Szalai

His players did not have any doubts about this at first, they oriented themselves forward. In the fourth minute Joshua Kimmich presented himself to Hungary goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi in the penalty area, who just clarified the situation. Germany seemed on the trigger. The cold shower followed: As if out of nowhere, Szalai headed the ball into the German goal after a pass from Roland Sallai (11th). Manuel Neuer was still there with his fingers, but could not intervene decisively.

This hit was right. How would the Germans react? As a reminder: They were also 1-0 down against Portugal. They responded aggressively and offensively again, although the Hungarians proved to be equal opponents. The chances of the Germans increased.

A dangerous pass from Kai Havertz (18th) in front of the gate found no taker despite all efforts, brushed past friends and foe into the out. Three minutes later, Mats Hummels headed the crossbar. Immediately afterwards Gulacsi saved with a top save in a shot by Matthias Ginter.

Hungary remains equal

As committed as the Germans tried to find the balance, they were slowly getting nervous. They had not yet achieved anything that could be counted. And the Hungarians remained dangerous. Andras Schäfer (38th) circled a long shot over the crossbar, and Neuer was able to tame another dangerous ball from Sallai (39th).

The fact that Portugal had previously taken the lead against France should not have lifted the Germans’ mood. To be last in Group F was not the goal of the Löw troupe. Havertz missed the last chance to equalize before the break (45th). There were still 45 minutes left to prevent the EM from going down – with an unchanged line-up after the break. Hungary’s team boss Marco Rossi also found no reason to change.

German joy lasts for a short time

Shots from Serge Gnabry (47th) and Havertz (53rd), who, as so often did not find a way past Gulacsi, were the best that Germany could offer at the beginning of the second half. There was no talk of pressure on the Hungarians. The Germans were slowly running out of time. It got tricky after a handball by Leroy Sane and the following free kick (62nd) by the Hungarians from the left edge of the penalty area. Roland Sallai heaved the ball against the crossbar. Neuer stretched and took a deep breath.

After that it went round. Havertz used Gulacsi’s first mistake after Hummels’ assist to equalize the Germans, who could only be happy for a short time. Two minutes later the doorbell rang in Neuer: Schäfer used a pass from Szalai with his head to lead the outsider again. Neuer had no chance, the Germans seemed at a loss.

Goretzka throws life anchor

After a nice action in the penalty area, Toni Kroos missed the best chance of a saving equalizer when he blew the ball past the far corner from the left (81st).

To the delight of the German fans in the Munich Allianz Arena, the hosts’ final offensive ultimately worked: After a tumult in the penalty area, the ball jumped to Goretzka, who did not ask twice. With his deflected shot Gulacsi was left behind. Germany was in the last sixteen.

Voices for the game:

Joachim Löw (Team Principal Germany): “We have also shown extremely good morals. Made mistakes, but fought until they equalized. The morale was sensationally good. It wasn’t for the faint of heart. We knew that Hungary would get everything, everything would be closed. Then unfortunately we made a mistake. In the end, you have to say: Getting through this group was good, and that was the goal. You can see that other teams are also struggling. The little ones knock everything in somehow, defend. It wasn’t that easy because ten people are in their own half. You have nothing to lose. In the end, what counts is that we are further. “

Leon Goretzka (Germany scorer): “You made the redeeming 1: 1, and then it falls 2: 1, of course that must never happen if you want to achieve something in a tournament like this. We don’t have any doubts, we don’t need to. We are full of confidence. The game was very, very difficult. There is a lot of resistance that you have to fight against. “

Marco Rossi (Team Principal Hungary): “I can tell everyone that they have to face these three teams one day. That we get points there, we got two points – nobody would have believed me before. The boys have achieved something that they will remember for many years and that they can be proud of. And our fans will see it that way too. “

Peter Gulacsi (goalkeeper Hungary): “We played a good game and of course Germany dominated. In the end, it’s bad luck for us and luck for Germany. It’s bitter because we didn’t allow many chances. We made three very good games for our level. That was probably the hardest group you can get. Still, we were there until the 80th minute of the last game. “

European Football Championship, Group F, third matchday

Wednesday:

Germany – Hungary 2: 2 (0: 1)

Munich, Allianz Arena, 14,500 spectators, SR Karasew (RUS)

Goal sequence:
0: 1 Adam Szalai (11th)
1:1 Havertz (66.)
1: 2 shepherds (68th)
2: 2 Goretzka (84th)

Germany: Neuer – Ginter (82nd Volland), Hummels, Rüdiger – Kimmich, Gündogan (58th Goretzka), Kroos, Gosens (82nd Musiala) – Havertz (67th Werner), Sane – Gnabry (68th Müller)

Hungary: Gulacsi – Nego, Botka, Orban, At. Szalai, Fiola (88. Nikolics) – Kleinheisler (88. Lovrencsics), A. Nagy, Schäfer – Ad. Szalai (82. K. Varga), Sallai (75. Schön)

Yellow cards: Gündogan, Sane or Ad. Szalai, Botka

The best: Havertz, Gnabry, Goretzka and Ad. Szallai, Botka, Fiola