Germany has balanced on the edge of the abyss at the European Football Championship, but it did not fall off in the end. Hungary took the lead twice and virtually survived the Group of Death. But substitute Goretzka eventually passed a death sentence on the Hungarians.
Germany – Hungary in a nutshell:
- Key moment: It is shivering and nail biting for the German supporters, because their team is just minutes from the end of the tournament. Hungary seems on its way to a stunt victory until substitute Goretzka brings Germany alongside and to the 1/8th finals.
- Man of the match: The Hungarians can leave the European Championship with their heads held high because after France they also kept Germany in check. The star of the little brother in the group of death today was Adam Szalai. He opened the score and provided the assist for the 1-2.
- Remarkable: After much toil, Germany came to 1-1 when Gulacsi misjudged a high ball and Havertz took advantage. But the Hungarians struck again right after. Barely 91 seconds after the equalizer, Schäfer gave Hungary the lead again.
Summary Germany – Hungary (2-2)
Szalai creates sensation in Munich
There has been a lot of commotion in the run-up to this match over the UEFA ban on lighting the Allianz Arena in the rainbow colours. The sky also cried with it, the rain poured down when Kimmich put Gulacsi to work after only a few minutes.
The tone seemed set for a German surprise, but it failed to materialize. What’s more, after barely 11 minutes, the Germans also got a cold shower on top of the rain. Hummels and Ginter were childishly fooled by a measured pass by Sallai and Adam Szalai gave Neuer a score: 0-1.
So sensational in Munich, the Germans suddenly had to work hard. Ten minutes after the opening goal, Hummels almost corrected his mistake on a corner, but his header hit the crossbar. Ginter also neglected the rehabilitation when he decided on Gulacsi from close range.
The rain kept falling from the sky in torrents, the chances did not. The Mannschaft lacked decisiveness and creativity, the Hungarians held out easily. Despair struck among the German supporters in the stands.
Surprise! Szalai heads Hungary 0-1 after 11 minutes
Goretzka saves the skin of the Germans
Even after the break, the Germans couldn’t get the engine to start. A faint long shot from Havertz, that’s all. Hungary was even able to occasionally counterattack on stationary phases. Neuer had to box away a turning free kick from Kleinheisler and saw how a free kick from Sallai licked the outside of the post.
In Budapest, Portugal had come alongside against France and so Germany was virtually eliminated. But just then, Gulacsi gave the Germans a hand on a free kick by Kimmich. The goalkeeper grabbed next to the high cross and Hummels was able to head the ball in front of the empty goal, where Havertz took care of the 1-1.
The Germans were relieved, but the equalizer was barely on the scoreboard when the Mannschaft let themselves go again. Szalai was not pressured and allowed to launch Schäfer. That was also not put in the way and Hungary headed again in the lead.
Germany suddenly played with the knife to its throat again and flirted with the elimination. Kroos aimed an excellent chance at the 2-2 in the final phase, but a few minutes later there was a sigh of relief through the Allianz Arena. Werner’s shot was blocked, but in the restart, substitute Goretzka did hit the mark.
The Germans did not give up this time and advanced to the 1/8th finals as second in the group of death. They will face England next Tuesday. The European Championship is over for Hungary.
Havertz and Goretzka save the skin of Germany
“We will show differently against England”
- Manuel Neuer (goalkeeper Germany): “We are relieved that we still qualify as number 2. Especially after such a nerve-racking thriller. After the early goal against, the Hungarians slammed everything shut. Against England will be a completely different match. Wembley suits us.”
- Leon Goretzka (Germany): “I’m very happy. I was lucky that ball fell at my feet. After the 1-1 we were absolutely not allowed to swallow the 1-2 so quickly. That shouldn’t happen if you want to achieve something.”
- Joachim Löw (bonds coach Germany): “We made mistakes, but we also fought and showed character. This was not a competition for the faint of heart. It’s good that we survived this group, that was the goal. Most importantly, we qualified. We can now look forward to the game against England. Playing against them at Wembley is an absolute highlight. We will look different than tonight, I can promise.”
- Peter Gulacsi (Hungary goalkeeper): “I can’t find words for this. We played a good game. Germany dominated the match, but we still managed to score 2 times. We were unlucky, this is very sour.”
- 90+5′
- 90+5′ second half
- 90+4′
- 90+2′
Goretzka is the savior of Germany in the 84th minute: 2-2
- 90+1′
- 90′
- 88′
- 88′
- 87′
- 84′
- 84′
- 83′
Kroos shoots wide in 1 time
- 82′
- 82′
- 82′
- 81′
- 79′
- 76′
- 75′
- 75′
