Germany beat Hungary 2-0 in their second group game staged on Wednesday evening to become the first team to make it to the knockout stage of Euro 2024.
Hungary were denied an immediate lead by Manuel Neuer, with the German shot-stopper called into action early as Hungary enjoyed the better start to proceedings. At the other end, Kai Havertz stung the palms of Péter Gulácsi as the hosts reminded Hungary of the threat they possess.
But though Hungary looked compact and solid for the opening quarter of the game, they gifted Germany the lead almost on the midway point of the half as a mix-up at the back saw Jamal Musiala grab his second goal of the tournament to hand his side the lead.
Nagelsmann’s side began to assert their dominance as Musiala continued to impress, with Hungary being asked to do increasing amounts of defensive work ahead of the interval. The stadium thought that Musiala had added a second just before the break as a vicious strike found the side netting, and Hungary thought that they had equalised on the stroke of half time when they headed the ball past Neuer, only for the offside flag to kill their celebrations.
They remained firmly in the game heading to half time despite having hardly ventured out of their own half for much of it. Following a sustained spell of German pressure, they were handed a glorious chance to level proceedings only for Barnabas Varga to head over when well placed.
It proved costly, with Germany doubling their lead minutes later after a cross from Max Mittlestadt found İlkay Gündoğan, who swept home from eight yards out to hand Germany breathing space.
The win means that Germany became the first side to secure qualification the knockout rounds, while Hungary will need three points against Scotland to have any chance of making it out of the group stages.
