Germany scrape through to last-16 after Hungary draw

Germany have qualified for the second round of Euro 2020 by the narrowest of margins after a late equaliser against Hungary.

Adam Szalai and Andras Schafer scored for Hungary either side of Kai Havertz’s equaliser but Leon Goretzka fired in with just eight minutes remaining to send Germany through.

The result means that Germany will play England at Wembley next Tuesday while Hungary are knocked out after finishing bottom of Group F.

Hungary took the lead in the 11th minute when Roland Sallai sent a perfect cross towards Szalai who powered a diving header past Manuel Neuer.

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Germany came forward in numbers after that though and came within inches of scoring when Mats Hummels hit the bar and Matthias Ginter’s close-range shot was saved.

Havertz squandered a super chance to equalise on the verge of halftime but his tame shot was saved before he dragged the rebound wide.

Germany continued to push for a leveller at the start of the first half with Serge Gnabry and Toni Kroos seeing shots blocked.

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Gulacsi did well to deny Havertz again before a Hungary free-kick hit the outside of the post.

Havertz did eventually get the better of Gulacsi though when Havertz finished from close range after Mats Hummel’s header. That goal meant that Germany were back into the qualification places and Hungary were heading out.

That was not the case for long though as Hungary hit back straight from the kickoff. A long ball was played towards the German penalty area and Schafer beat Neuer to head in.

Hungarian hearts were broken in the 82nd minute though when a blocked Timo Werner shot fell to substitute Goretzka who powered the ball in from 16 yards.

Cover Photo: “Euro 2020 street lights in Bucharest” by wuestenigel is licensed under CC BY 2.0

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