Substitute Leon Goretzka made an impact as Germany sealed qualification for the knockout round with a draw with Hungary.
Germany advanced through to the knockout round of the UEFA Euro 2020 after holding Hungary to a 2-2 at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday. It was a roller coaster ride for the 2014 World Cup champions, who are now set to face England in the Round of 16, at the iconic Wembley.
The stakes were quite high for Germany heading into this encounter, knowing a defeat would have seen them getting knocked out of the competition. They didn’t help themselves either, producing a toothless performance against a Hungarian defence that remained resilient for the most part of the proceedings.
And just like they did against France, it was the Magyarorszag who found the opener through Adam Szalai in the 11th minute. The goal gave them the incentive to just sit back and contain the pressure from the opposition. Unfortunately for the visitors, a goalkeeping error from an otherwise reliable Peter Gulacsi allowed Germany to level things in the 66th minute.
Their joy didn’t last long, though, with Hungary’s Andras Schafer restore his nation’s slender one-goal advantage, just a minute after the goal from Kai Havertz. There was more drama in store for fans, however, as Germany had the last laugh, equalising once again through substitute Leon Goretzka in the 84th minute.
The draw sees Hungary finish bottom of Group F, with Germany clinching second place, just behind France, who were held to a draw with Portugal in the other game.
Round of 16 ✅
Well done, Germany! ?#EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/uTuFOq1WgG— UEFA EURO 2020 (@EURO2020) June 23, 2021
Here, at The Hard Tackle, we will run the rule over both Germany and Hungary in this roller coaster of a match at the Allianz Arena this midweek.
Germany
Manuel Neuer: 6/10
Manuel Neuer couldn’t have done much to prevent Szalai from scoring the early opener, but he was beaten rather easily by Schafer for the second goal. It has not been a good tournament for the German skipper so far.
Matthias Ginter: 5.5/10
Matthias Ginter, too, didn’t cover himself in glory, losing the ball that led to the early Hungary attack. He wasn’t much useful going forward either, despite almost camping himself in the opposition half at times.
Mats Hummels: 6.5/10
Mats Hummels was a mixed bag against Hungary. He looked very weak defensively at times, struggling with his position. He did, however, provide good forward passes and technical ability in the build-up while securing the assist for Havertz’s goal.
Antonio Rudiger: 6/10
Antonio Rudiger also had an off day in the three-man backline. He had occasional difficult keeping up with Roland Sallai, though for the most part, the Chelsea centre-back wasn’t troubled much at all.
Joshua Kimmich: 8/10
Joshua Kimmich was a major threat for Hungary on the right flank, particularly with his probing crosses into the box. The midfielder showed excellent motivation and fighting spirit that was essentially in helping Germany keep ticking till the very end.
?? Always creative & impressed further when he moved inside in the second half. Joshua Kimmich ? @Heineken | #EUROSOTM | #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/8oSZqaFTGt
— UEFA EURO 2020 (@EURO2020) June 23, 2021
Ilkay Gundogan: 5/10
It was a bad day at the office for Ilkay Gundogan. The Manchester City playmaker simply could not offer the spark upfront, often dawdling in possession in the middle of the park.
Toni Kroos: 7/10
Toni Kroos was essentially in helping Germany maintain control of possession, if not anything else. He wasn’t particularly good, but certainly wasn’t as ineffective as some of his teammates.
Robin Gosens: 5/10
Speaking of ineffectiveness, Robin Gosens endured a difficult time, so soon after starring against Portugal. It seemed Hungary’s back five was being able to neutralise his threat from a wider position quite well.
Kai Havertz: 6/10
It was a slightly underwhelming display from Kai Havertz as well. The attacker simply didn’t offer enough going forward, even bordering on frustrating at times. The lucky goal in the second half do not undo his ineffectiveness in the final third.
Leroy Sane: 4/10
Leroy Sane was by far Germany’s worst performer in this embarrassing display. The former Man City winger’s body language was miserable, to say the least, while the attacker also couldn’t offer any creativity going forward. A liability in Die Mannschaft attack.
1) Leroy Sane shouldn't start a game this Euro as his execution is way too poor, no matter what!
2) Gündogan out, Goretzka in
3) Havertz Gnabry Müller the best trio and if anyone not fit, then Werner or even Musiala
4) German defence sleeps again and concedes, simple as that!
— One Nil – Varun Madhav (@theonenil) June 23, 2021
Serge Gnabry: 6/10
Serge Gnabry had the additional burden of opening up spaces for his teammates due to the absence of Thomas Muller. The former Arsenal prodigy looked promising at times, but never quite got going.
SUBSTITUTES
Leon Goretzka: 7.5/10
Leon Goretzka came on for Gundogan around the hour mark, offering exactly what this game needed. He offered excellent movements in between the channels, getting rewarded for his efforts with a late equaliser.
GORETZKA MIGHT'VE SAVED GERMANY ? pic.twitter.com/2WfJXrWysY
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) June 23, 2021
Thomas Muller: 6.5/10
Thomas Muller didn’t do much after coming on for Gnabry, but it was nice to see the attacker back on the pitch following his injury scare after the Portugal game.
Timo Werner: 6/10
Timo Werner didn’t provide anything much to the table after replacing Havertz midway through the second half.
Jamal Musiala: N/A
Jamal Musiala’s little moment of creative brilliance played a key role in helping Germany churn out the late equaliser. Did not play enough to warrant a rating, but certainly needs to promoted ahead of Sane and Kevin Volland in the pecking order.
Kevin Volland: N/A
A late replacement for Gosens. Did not play enough to warrant a rating.
Hungary
Peter Gulacsi: 6.5/10
Often a reliable presence in between the sticks, Peter Gulacsi’s mistake in the second half allowed Germany a way back into the game. He was, otherwise, rock-solid in between the sticks.
This is how Hungary cut short Germany celebration after Havertz scored #GER #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/lIOhKx1tnW
— Buzi Brown (@buzibrownie) June 23, 2021
Endre Botka: 6.5/10
Endre Botka had another eventful game, chock-full of defensive contributions. Hungary’s low backline played a key role in helping the Ferencvaros defender stay resilient and not take many risks.
Willi Orban: 7.5/10
Willi Orban was once again the defensive figurehead for Hungary. He made a host of key blocks and tackles, preventing the opposition attackers from creating too many goalscoring avenues.
Attila Szalai: 7/10
Another young Hungarian that has impressed us in this tournament, Attila Szalai put in a valiant display on the left hand side of the team’s defensive line. He was resilient in dealing with the threat of Sane, in particular.
Attila Fiola: 6/10
Attila Fiola had a rather disappointing game compared to his performance against France. He often allowed too much space for Kimmich on the right hand side while failing to offer much going forward.
Laszlo Kleinheisler: 6.5/10
Laszlo Kleinheisler certainly wasn’t as good as he was against France. The revered midfield star had difficulties controlling possession and spread the ball around due to Germany’s relentless pressure.
Adam Nagy: 7/10
Adam Nagy put in an excellent shift in the middle of the park. He was always aware of the possibility of a dangerous through ball in behind the backline, closing down the ball-carriers in time.
Andras Schafer: 8/10
Andras Schafer made a name for himself in this Euro, complemented by yet another strong performance – this time against Germany. The youngster showed unreal determination and energy, notably scoring the important second goal.
Pandemonium in Munich!
Kai Havertz had equalised for #GER, but Andras Schafer instantly restored #HUN's lead!
90 seconds between the two goals…
? @BBCMOTD pic.twitter.com/N5Y7EHswlO
— The Athletic UK (@TheAthleticUK) June 23, 2021
Roland Sallai: 5.5/10
Roland Sallai had a key part to play in helping Hungary craft the scoring opportunity for Szalai’s opener in the 11th minute. Aside from that, the SC Freiburg forward was not involved much in the game other than a few nice link-ups.
Adam Szalai: 6/10
Adam Szalai’s accurate finish helped his national kick-start the game on a positive note. His influence, though, failed highly after the early goal, even though the veteran did do a good job of closing down players.
SUBSTITUTES
Szabolcs Schon: N/A
A late replacement for Sallai. Did not play enough to warrant a rating.
Kevin Varga: N/A
A late replacement for Szalai. Did not play enough to warrant a rating.
Nemanja Nikolics: N/A
A late replacement for Fiola. Did not play enough to warrant a rating.
Gergo Lovrencsics: N/A
A late replacement for Kleinheisler. Did not play enough to warrant a rating.
