Jamal Musiala scored again as Germany continued their winning start to Euro 2024 with victory over Hungary to become the first side through to the knockout stages.
The Bayern Munich forward impressed throughout and netted midway through the first half, drilling a powerful effort inches past the post afterwards, and was later given a standing ovation when he was substituted late in the second half.
Hungary were frustrated with his opener, claiming a foul from Ilkay Gundogan on defender Willi Orban before the Barcelona midfielder teed up Musiala to fire into the roof of the net.
A video assistant referee (VAR) check confirmed the on-field decision as Musiala celebrated with his team-mates in front of Hungary supporters behind the goal.
Hungary thought they had snatched an equaliser on the stroke of half-time but Roland Sallai’s rebound header was ruled out for a clear offside.
Instead, Germany extended their lead in the second half when former Manchester City player Gundogan was left unmarked to slot comfortably past goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi.
After their 5-1 win over Scotland, Germany were made to work harder for the win here – with Hungary threatening on occasions and defending stubbornly.
Liverpool midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai showed his quality on set-pieces, curling a terrific effort goalwards which needed saving by Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.
Szoboszlai came close again in a bright period in the first half but was denied by an excellent block from Jonathan Tah.
Germany’s performance was encouraging though. They showed patches of creativity and control, doing enough to get over the line and make it six points from their opening two games.
Their place in the last 16 is confirmed and they will finish as Group A winners if they avoid defeat against Switzerland in Frankfurt on Sunday (20:00 BST).
It is a damaging outcome for Hungary, following their opening defeat by Switzerland and they will need to bounce back from their frustrations to beat Scotland next to have any chance of going through.
“I’ve never complained in my career as a coach. I’ve never looked for excuses but what the referee did tonight – I mean, come on,” said Hungary boss Marco Rossi afterwards.
“It’s something that I think even the Germans have seen – the referee had double standards. The VAR at this level didn’t say anything.
“Germany would have won anyways because they were better than us but the referee was the worst on the pitch.”Hungary are on the brink of a Euro 2024 exit but they will feel hard done by because they created enough to trouble the hosts in Stuttgart, and were much-improved out of possession.
After a poor defensive display against Switzerland, this was a Hungary side close to their best as Szoboszlai led them, driving them up the pitch and creating chances, while providing the quality they needed on set-pieces.It was his free-kick that was headed in by Sallai, only to be ruled out for offside, after he had tested Neuer and continued to provide service for Hungary’s attackers.
Barnabas Varga headed over the bar in another good move for Hungary but they could not find the equaliser they needed to concern Germany and now have a tough task to stay in the tournament.”What is important to win the last match is putting what our fans want on the pitch. They can accept technical mistakes. They are not stupid,” said Rossi.”They want to see on the pitch that we are spitting our blood. This is what I ask from the guys. I don’t ask them to win or score goals, I just ask them to put in their maximum efforts.
Meanwhile, Germany eased their way through the second half, defending their box, freshening up their attack and relying on the experience of Toni Kroos to keep things ticking in midfield.Antonio Rudiger and Tah’s partnership at the back is strengthening and Neuer only had to make three saves – two were back-to-back when he prevented Szoboszlai’s curling free-kick and the resulting rebound from squeezing inside the post in the first half.
Aside from a 90th-minute goalline clearance from Joshua Kimmich, Germany were in full control and Gundogan’s cool finish put the icing on the cake as fans chanted, waved flags and bounced on their feet until full-time, celebrating in the stands and giving him a warm applause when their captain was substituted.Optimism has been growing in Germany this week as supporters sense an opportunity for this talented squad to do well on home soil, and this latest victory will only add to that.”The atmosphere is amazing. There was a fan march passing our hotel. There are so many people supporting us,” said manager Julian Nagelsmann.”We want to win every game and if we do that we will be first in the group.
We will see what happens in the other groups and who our next opponent is. I’m happy with the result. It was a tough game.”It was not the free-flowing performance they produced in their opening match, albeit against 10-man Scotland, but it was certainly a good one at this stage of the competition.And in 21-year-old Musiala, Germany have one of Europe’s most outstanding talents – how far he can take them is the question on everyone’s minds.
