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Germany ease past Hungary to reach last 16 at Euro 2024

Jamal Musiala and Ilkay Gundogan scored as hosts Germany became the first team to qualify for the last 16 of Euro 2024 on Wednesday after beating Hungary 2-0 in Stuttgart.

Musiala struck for the second game running midway through the first half, much to the anger of Hungary players who felt a foul should have been awarded in the build-up to the goal.

Gundogan grabbed his side’s second on 67 minutes as Germany eased to a second successive win in Group A of Euro 2024, making sure they will progress to the knockout phase at least as one of the best third-placed sides.

Julian Nagelsmann’s men can wrap up top spot when they play Switzerland in Frankfurt in their final group fixture on Sunday.

Hungary are staring at elimination after back-to-back defeats and must beat Scotland if they are to stand any chance of reaching the last 16.

Germany unsurprisingly stuck with the same line-up that battered Scotland 5-1 in the first game of the tournament, ending a run of three major finals in which they had lost their opening match.

Hungary coach Marco Rossi made two changes following a disappointing 3-1 loss to Switzerland, bringing Marton Dardai into his three-man defence and starting Bendeguz Bolla at right wing-back.

A dismal first half left Hungary with too much to do against the Swiss and Rossi admitted beating Germany would require a “perfect match” from his team.

Hungary almost struck in the opening seconds as Manuel Neuer raced out to take the ball off the toe of Roland Sallai.

Kai Havertz outmuscled Willi Orban only to be superbly denied by Peter Gulacsi, who thrust out his right hand to deny the Arsenal attacker.

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Robert Andrich’s volley from the resulting corner was bravely headed behind by Bolla, but it wasn’t long until Germany’s persistence was rewarded.

Musiala cushioned the ball through for Gundogan and the Germany captain kept the attack alive after jostling with Orban, knocking it back for Musiala to slam in off the crossbar with a touch off Attila Fiola.

Hungary were furious no foul was given for the contact between Gundogan and Orban that knocked the defender to the ground, the goal confirmed after a brief VAR check.

Dominik Szoboszlai’s curling free-kick drew a terrific stop from Neuer soaring to his right, the goalkeeper kicking away the follow-up as Hungary tried to scramble in the rebound.

A key block from Jonathan Tah foiled a second opportunity in quick succession for Szoboszlai, with Musiala then drilling into the side-netting at the other end.

Hungary had the ball in Germany’s net in first-half stoppage time, but Sallai’s effort was ruled out for offside after Neuer palmed away an Orban header.

Gulacsi clawed away a deflected Toni Kroos drive early in the second half before Hungary forward Barnabas Varga, who scored in the loss to Switzerland, nodded narrowly over from an inviting cross.

Germany picked apart the Hungary defence with a patient attack to double their lead just past the hour.

Maximilian Mittelstaedt found space down the left and slid across a pass for Gundogan to sweep home from near the penalty spot.

Niclas Fuellkrug failed to get a finishing touch as Joshua Kimmich powered across the face of goal, with Gulacsi making smart saves to keep out Kimmich and Leroy Sane as Germany sought a third goal.

Julian Nagelsmann withdrew his front three with the game under control to keep them fresh for the Switzerland clash.

Neuer had a nervy moment late on when he spilt a cross, but Kimmich cleared Orban’s shot off the line to preserve the clean sheet for Germany — their first in eight games at the Euro 2024.

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Germany hammer 10-man Scotland to launch Euro 2024

MUNICH: Germany thrashed 10-man Scotland 5-1 as the Euro 2024 hosts kicked off the tournament in style here at Allianz Arena on Friday, the start of a journey they hope culminates in a record fourth continental title.

Florian Wirtz struck the opening goal 10 minutes in and Jamal Musiala soon doubled Germany’s lead with an emphatic finish.

“We couldn’t have had a better start. We’ve seen the atmosphere in the country, and we need that,” Musiala said of Germany’s lightning start.

A long-awaited night for Scotland went from bad to worse before half-time when Ryan Porteous was sent off for a two-footed challenge on Ilkay Gundogan, with Kai Havertz tucking away the resulting penalty.

Niclas Fuellkrug powered in a fourth midway through the second half after coming on as a substitute and not even a late own goal from Antonio Ruediger could spoil an otherwise perfect start to the campaign for Germany.

There was even time for Emre Can to add a fifth goal with the final kick of the game.

Scotland could surely not have envisioned such a disastrous beginning, but they must regroup quickly with games to come in Group A against Switzerland and Hungary.

“Today was hugely disappointing but you’re playing against the host nation and it’s the first game… things don’t get much tougher than that,” said Scotland captain Andy Robertson.

After three successive failures at major tournaments, including back-to-back group stage exits at the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, this was a statement of intent from an experienced Germany side.

It is Germany’s first men’s major tournament as hosts since the 2006 World Cup, and they are looking to recreate the magic that helped rekindle the passion for the national team then.

Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann had spoken of his players’ hunger to atone for the shortcomings of recent times, with the outlook improving and optimism gradually increasing since his appointment in September.

His counterpart Steve Clarke on the other hand urged Scotland to “fear no one” going into the country’s second straight Euros after more than two decades in the international wilderness.

Almost right away Germany took the game to a Scotland side who arrived in Munich with only one win from their past nine matches — an unimpressive 2-0 victory over lowly Gibraltar last week.

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Scotland goalkeeper Angus Gunn alertly blocked from an offside Wirtz, but Germany soon grasped the match by the scruff of the neck.

Toni Kroos, coaxed out of his Germany retirement earlier this year, pinged a ball out to Joshua Kimmich, who teed up Wirtz to sweep in from the edge of the area as Gunn could only help the shot in via the post.

Kroos will hang up his boots for good after the tournament, but with him and Gundogan running the Germany midfield they bring a level of knowledge and maturity few can match.

Gundogan threaded a pass through the Scotland defence to Havertz, who worked it back towards Musiala, the Bayern Munich attacker creating himself space to crash a strike into the roof of the net.

Germany were initially awarded a penalty as Musiala went down in a heap after getting caught between Ryan Christie and Kieran Tierney, but referee Clement Turpin deemed the foul occurred outside the area after consulting the touchline monitor.

That merely delayed Germany’s third goal, which did eventually come from the spot following another VAR review that led to Porteous being sent off for a crude challenge on Gundogan.

Havertz calmly sent Gunn the wrong way and any remaining optimism drained away from Scotland’s once boisterous and sizeable travelling contingent of supporters.

Scotland tried to limit the damage in the second half, but there was no stopping Fuellkrug’s thumping drive into the top corner within a few minutes of his introduction as a replacement for Havertz.

The only bright spot for Scotland came three minutes from time as Ruediger inadvertently diverted Scott McKenna’s header past goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.

And there was still more punishment to come as substitute Can curled home from 20 yards at the death to cap a glorious night for the Germans.

Reigning European champions Italy, who failed to qualify for the last World Cup, get their title defence underway on Saturday against Albania in Dortmund.

Before that Spain take on Croatia in the opening Group B fixture in Berlin, but the day’s first match is between Hungary and Switzerland in Cologne.

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German football to change controversial kit number

The German Football Association (DFB) said Monday it would change the typeface used on its shirts after one of the kit numbers drew comparisons to a Nazi symbol.

The number four worn by national team players was said to bear a resemblance to the insignia of the Nazis’ elite SS corps.

“The DFB checks the numbers 0-9 and then submits the numbers 1-26 to UEFA for review,” the German football association said in a statement.

“None of the parties involved saw any proximity to Nazi symbolism in the creation process,” the DFB said.

Nonetheless, the sporting body said it did not want to “provide a platform for discussion”.

“Together with our partner 11teamsports, we will develop an alternative design for the number four and coordinate it with UEFA,” the DFB said.

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Kit provider Adidas removed shirt personalisation options for the German strip from its website on Monday afternoon, the German daily Bild reported.

The name and number personalisation features were not available when an AFP journalist visited the website on Monday evening.

Shirts with the number 44 were at the centre of the controversy, with the number set said to look most like the SS logo.

Deliveries of shirts already ordered with the number had been stopped, Bild reported.

The new typeset was worn in recent friendlies against France and the Netherlands, as Germany prepares to host the men’s European football championship in June and July.

The DFB caused a stir last month when it announced that it would be replacing Adidas as its kit provider from 2027.

The German outfitter, which has supplied the national team since the 1950s, will make way for US sportswear giant Nike.

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England rally in six-goal Germany thriller to ease pressure on Southgate

LONDON: Gareth Southgate hopes England will feel the benefit of being put under intense pressure in recent days at the World Cup after fighting back from 2-0 down to salvage a 3-3 draw against Germany on Monday.

The Three Lions had already been relegated from the top tier of the Nations League and will head to Qatar on a six-game winless run.

The knives were being sharpened for Southgate after his faith in Harry Maguire backfired for two German goals early in the second half.

Centre-back Maguire has been publicly backed by the England boss despite being dropped at club level by Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag.

Ilkay Gundogan slotted home the opener from the penalty spot after Maguire gifted possession to Jamal Musiala and then chopped down the Bayern Munich midfielder.

Kai Havertz then curled brilliantly into the top corner after Maguire was dispossed in the German half.

England had failed to score from open play in any of their opening five games in Group A3.

But two goals in three minutes transformed the atmosphere around Wembley and the scrutiny on Southgate’s position heading to Qatar.

Luke Shaw was also restored to the starting line-up despite his lack of game time at United and started the fightback by volleying in at the back post.

Moments later, two of Southgate’s substitutes combined to deadly effect as Bukayo Saka set up Mason Mount to curl home.

Harry Kane looked to have completed the turnaround from the penalty spot seven minutes from time after Nico Schlotterbeck’s challenge on Jude Bellingham was punished following a VAR review.

Yet, there was more drama to come as Nick Pope spilled Serge Gnabry’s shot and Havertz pounced on the rebound to snatch Germany a point.

Despite the disappointment of a late equaliser, there was relief for Southgate that England’s attack finally came to life after accusations that his conservative tactics were to blame for a lack of goals.

“The whole experience has been what we needed,” said Southgate, who had been booed by England fans after a 1-0 defeat to Italy in Milan on Friday.

“You are going to have pressure in a World Cup. You can try to avoid pressure, but it’s coming.

“It’s better that we feel it and know how we deal with it. The players reacted in the right way – we showed character but a lot of quality.”

The home side had plenty of chances to end their goal drought even in a scoreless first half.

Raheem Sterling twice shot too close to Marc-Andre ter Stegen with just the German goalkeeper to beat, while Kane would have had a tap in but for a poor cross from Phil Foden.

Germany were seeking to bounce back from their first defeat under Hansi Flick after their hopes of reaching the Nations League final four were ended by losing 1-0 at home to Hungary on Friday.

“We made individual mistakes – it can’t happen that we give away a lead like that,” said a frustrated Flick. “But we came back, that’s the positive. There’s some work for us to do, but we’re optimistic.”

Germany came alive after the break with Musiala, who played for England at youth level, particularly impressive.

Dutch referee Danny Makkelie needed the assistance of VAR to see Maguire’s mistimed challenge on Musiala as he tried to atone for his error in giving the ball away.

Gundogan coolly slotted into the bottom corner and it seemed game over when Havertz arrowed home his shot from outside the box with 23 minutes to go.

However, three goals in 11 minutes got the England support back on side and gave the team some impetus to build on heading to Qatar.

Any doubt over who Southgate will start in goal against Iran on November 21 appears to over though, as long as Jordan Pickford has recovered from a thigh injury that kept him out of this squad.

Pope has impressed in his early weeks as Newcastle’s new number one, but would have done much better to palm Gnabry’s shot to safety and Havertz took full advantage.

READ: Italy beat Hungary for consolation of Nations League final-four

Covid-hit Neuer, Goretzka ruled out for Germany

BERLIN: Germany captain Manuel Neuer and midfielder Leon Goretzka have been ruled out of the upcoming Nations League clashes with Hungary and England after recording positive Covid tests.

The news was confirmed by the German team in Frankfurt on Wednesday, where the squad are in training.

The pair, who are team-mates at Bayern Munich, have left the camp and will not take part in either of the upcoming fixtures.

Hoffenheim ‘keeper Oliver Baumann has been called in to replace Neuer, while Wolfsburg captain Maximilian Arnold was drafted in on Wednesday afternoon to replace Goretzka.

Borussia Dortmund midfielder Julian Brandt also left the Germany camp on Wednesday due to flu-like symptoms, but has tested negative for the virus.

Germany management has not yet indicated whether the 38-time Germany player will be replaced ahead of the two Nations League fixtures.

Bild tabloid reports the Covid tests were carried out due to a positive test for a close personal contact of one of the players.

Both Neuer and Goretzka tested negative on Monday when they entered camp.

Germany sit second behind Hungary in their Nations League group, with one win and three draws from four matches.

England are bottom of the four-team group with two draws and two losses, scoring just one goal in four matches.

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Germany Women thump Spain 2-0 to reach quarter-finals of Euro 2022

LONDON: Germany Women’s Football team have booked their spot in the quarter-final round of Euro 2022 and topped Group B after they defeated Spain 2-0, here at Brentford Community Stadium on Tuesday.

Klara Buhl and Alexandra Popp scored in the first half to put the German side in a dominating position as Spain failed to rebound in the game after the initial blows.

Buhl scored the opening goal just three minutes into the game after she gained possession of the ball following a poor clearance from Spain goalkeeper Sandra Panos.

Popp doubled the lead for her side in the 36th minute after she expertly nodded the ball into the nets.

Spain will now be facing Denmark on Saturday in order to secure a spot in the quarter-finals as the winner of the game will be playing England in Brighton on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Germany will play Finland on Saturday in their final group stage game before facing the runner-ups of Group A in the quarter-final on Thursday.

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Werner scores twice to help Germany thump Italy 5-2 in Nations League

MONCHENGLADBACH: Germany thrashed Italy 5-2 in a home game to secure their first win in the UEFA Nations League after four winless games, here on Tuesday.

Germany showcased a phenomenal display of attack as Timo Werner struck twice after Joshua Kimmich, Ilkay Gundogan and Thomas Muller put their side in the driving seat.

Germany surpassed Italy for the second position in the Group A3 standings. Germany after three earlier draws and a win yesterday secured six points – one point behind Hungary.

Germany scored the opening goal of the game in the 10th minute when Kimmich charged into the box and tapped in a David Raum cutback.

The hosts dominated the opponent with an array of passing moves throughout the game.

Gudogan doubled the lead for the home side with a penalty goal on the stroke of halftime after Bastoni brought down Hoffman inside the area and the referee awarded a penalty.

Muller netted the ball again four minutes into the second half to tighten the grip of his side on the game.

Germany continued with their attack as Werner struck two back-to-back goals to seal the game for his side.

Italy finally retaliated in the 78th minute as Wilfried Gnonto hit the box to become the youngest scorer for Italy.

Alessandro Baston scored another goal in the stoppage time to close the gap for his side, who now slipped to the third spot of Group A3 standings

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Kane rescues England to draw 1-1 against Germany in Nations League

MUNICH: England forced a dramatic draw against Germany in a thrilling clash as Harry Kane scored a late penalty to become the second English footballer to score 50 international goals after Wayne Rooney, in a Group three match of the UEFA Nations League.

Tottenham star was awarded a penalty shot after German center-back Nico Schlotterbeck brought down Kane in the penalty area. Kane netted the ball in the 88th minute to equalize 1-1, securing a point for his team.

Kane with his late equalizer relished the England team and its manager Gareth Southgate, who faced immense pressure after an upset at the hands of Hungary 1-0 in their first encounter of the Nations League campaign.

German midfielder Jonas Hofmann scored the opening goal of the match as he beat England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford with a powerful shot, clinching a lead for his team in the 50th minute.

The vital 1-1 draw helped England to take a point home in their first two games of the UEFA Nations League.

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