Euro 2024 - Germany 2-0 Hungary: Musiala and Gundogan Fire Hosts Into Knockouts

Germany became the first team to book their place in the Euro 2024 knockout stages with a 2-0 win over Hungary in their Group A clash in Stuttgart on Wednesday.

Musiala Opens Scoring

The hosts led in the 22nd minute through Jamal Musiala's close-range finish. There was controversy surrounding the goal as Willi Orban appeared to be fouled by Ilkay Gundogan in the build-up, but the strike was allowed to stand after a VAR review.

Musiala, playing in his hometown, reacted quickest to poke home after Gundogan's initial effort was blocked following Orban's stumble in the box. It continued the 21-year-old's excellent tournament after he also scored in the 5-1 opening win over Scotland.

Hungary's Missed Chances

Hungary had chances to equalize before half-time, with Roland Sallai's header ruled out for a tight offside call and Manuel Neuer making a smart double save to deny Dominik Szoboszlai's free-kick. Their best opportunity fell to Barnabas Varga early in the second half, but he headed over from six yards out after a defensive mix-up by Germany.

Gundogan Seals It

Germany eventually killed the game off in the 67th minute, as Gundogan swept home Maximilian Mittelstadt's low cross for his second goal of the tournament. Julian Nagelsmann's side comfortably saw out the remainder of the match to make it two wins from two in Group A and guarantee a place in at least the knockout round playoffs as one of the best third-placed teams.

Hungary, which lost its opener to Switzerland, now faces an uphill battle to reach the last 16 heading into its final group game against Scotland on Sunday.

Key Performances

• Jamal Musiala: Continued his impressive form with a crucial opener, showcasing his sharp reactions and finishing ability.
• Ilkay Gundogan: Played a pivotal role, both in assisting Musiala's goal and scoring the decisive second goal, demonstrating his leadership and technical skills.
• Manuel Neuer: Made crucial saves to maintain Germany's clean sheet, particularly in the first half.

Post-Match Reactions

Germany's captain, Ilkay Gundogan, emphasized the team's growing confidence and the importance of overcoming challenges. "We are getting better, but as we improve, we have to overcome some problems," Gundogan stated.

Manuel Neuer highlighted the significance of the win and the positive atmosphere among the fans. "You can feel it when you see the euphoria of the people. The atmosphere is good," Neuer said.

Looking Ahead

Germany's next match in Group A will be against Switzerland, a crucial game determining their final group standing. On the other hand, Hungary must win their match against Scotland to have any hope of advancing to the knockout stages.

Match Statistics

• Goals: Germany 2-0 Hungary
• Shots: Germany 19, Hungary 11
• Shots on Target: Germany 7, Hungary 4
• Possession: Germany 69.5%, Hungary 30.5%
• Successful Passes: Germany 668, Hungary 248
• Corners Won: Germany 11, Hungary 7

Germany's efficient performance and clinical finishing secured their place in the knockout stages, underscoring their status as one of the tournament favourites. As Euro 2024 progresses, fans can look forward to more high-stakes matches and memorable moments from these teams.