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June 19 – You have to go back to 1984 for the last time the host nation won the Euros.
There’s a long way to go in the current edition, of course, but Germany will be feeling mighty good about themselves after seeing off Hungary 2-0 to guarantee a place in the last 16, the first side to do so.
This is vastly different Germany in terms of style, speed of movement and confidence to the one that tamely exited the last three major tournaments prematurely. A throwback, in one way, to the German teams of old.
What a start it has been from the hosts, what a transformation among the mood of their fans.
Not that they were nearly as dominant today as they were in the demolition of Scotland. For long periods in Stuttgart, Hungary made their fans proud as they gave as good as they got in terms of chances if not possession.
Emre Can of Germany runder pressure from Laszlo Kleinheisler of Hungary
The difference was that Germany had quality all over the pitch and now the dreams of the Magyars – who came into this tournament on the back of 14 games unbeaten – are hanging by the slimmest of threads.
Back in 1954, West Germany, as they were then, came from behind to beat the hotly favoured Hungarians to win the World Cup. It was a victory all the more surprising since the Germans were hammered 8-3 in the group stage.
Times have moved on big time in terms of football’s traditional powerhouses with Germany now one of the continent’s heavyweights and Hungary having to battle their way into finals such as these.
Having said that, they had enjoyed the better recent results between the two countries and desperately needed to come away with something today, perhaps more than at any time in recent years.
They could easily have opened the score inside 30 seconds but for Manuel Neuer dashing off his line to save and continued to give the hosts plenty to think about in the early stages.
But on 23 minutes they fell behind, Jamal Musiala – him again – sweetly…
Source link : https://www.insideworldfootball.com/2024/06/19/germany-brush-hungary-aside-guarantee-last-16-slot/
Author : Paul Nicholson
Publish date : 2024-06-19 22:35:54
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