Hungary and Germany They won this Tuesday 1-1 in Budapest in a game that neither team had anything to do with. UEFA Nations League, since the Germans got the first place in the group and the Hungarians in the third place.
German coach Julian Nagelsmann made nine changes to the starting line-up from the team that beat Bosnia Herzegovina 7-0 on Saturday with only captain Joshua Kimmich and Robert Andrich returning to action.
Germany were in clear control of the game during the first twenty minutes which saw the game played permanently in the Hungarian half but they could not finish much apart from a harmless shot from Serge Gnabry in the 12th minute.
In that phase Hungary suffered from the high German pressure and had difficulties to get out of their own half. After twenty minutes, however, the Hungarians started to get into the game, taking advantage of German turnovers.
The two best games in the first half came from Hungary. The first was in the 24th minute, in a play that started with the loss of the ball by Julian Brandt and ended with a shot by Konrad Scáfer, which goalkeeper Alexander Nübel saved.
The tone of the game was Germany’s dominance in terms of possession, but Hungary looked closer to the goal.
Germany’s first clear chance came in the 50th minute at the feet of Robin Gosens who came on for Kimmich for the second half.
In the 61st minute, Nagelsmann wanted to give him more attacking possibilities with the entry of Kai Havertz, Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala. In the 63rd minute, Havertz, after a cross from Gosens and in a play started by Musiala, finished against the post.
In the 76th minute, Germany’s goal came from a corner kick. Felix Nmecha scored from close range after Dibusz had saved half a header from Nico Schlotterbeck.
In the 90th minute the tie came when Dominique Szoboszlai converted a penalty caused by a handball by Robin Koch, approved by the central referee after reviewing the VAR images.
For Germany, more than the two points lost in the last game of the match, the yellow card seen by Wirtz hurts that makes them lose the first leg in the quarter finals.
How did Hungary’s performance evolve throughout the match against Germany?
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Football Expert
Time.news Editor: Good morning, and welcome to our special sports segment. Today, we’re diving deep into the recent UEFA Nations League match between Hungary and Germany, which ended in a 1-1 draw. Joining me is our football expert, Dr. Anna Müller, who has been following European football closely. Anna, thanks for being here!
Dr. Anna Müller: Thank you for having me! It’s a pleasure to discuss this match, especially given its implications for both teams.
Editor: Absolutely! To set the stage, Germany and Hungary played a game where neither team had much at stake, right? Germany had already secured first place in their group while Hungary finished third. Did that impact the intensity of the match?
Müller: It certainly seemed to influence the approach of both teams. With Germany already qualified and Hungary not in a position to advance, the match had a more relaxed atmosphere. It allowed for experimentation, especially from Germany’s coach, Julian Nagelsmann, who made nine changes to the starting lineup.
Editor: That’s a significant number of changes! What do you think was behind Nagelsmann’s decision?
Müller: It speaks to his strategic thinking. Coming off a commanding 7-0 win against Bosnia Herzegovina, he likely wanted to give some younger players experience on the international stage while also managing fatigue for his stars. Keeping only Joshua Kimmich and Robert Andrich in the lineup suggests he wants fresh legs and new perspectives on the field.
Editor: Interesting approach! Germany seemed to control the first twenty minutes, playing predominantly in Hungary’s half. Yet, they only managed a lone effort from Serge Gnabry. What do you make of their performance during that initial spell?
Müller: Germany’s control in those first minutes showcased their quality and dominance. However, it also highlighted a lingering issue—finishing. Their inability to convert possession into clear goal-scoring opportunities is something they’ll need to work on, especially looking ahead to future competitions. They created the chances but lacked that killer instinct.
Editor: You mentioned Hungary struggling during that phase. How did they adapt as the game progressed?
Müller: Initially, they were on the back foot, but as the match unfolded, Hungary found their rhythm. They adjusted to the game, often hitting Germany on the counter, and were able to equalize through effective teamwork. This resilience is something that their coach, Marco Rossi, will be pleased to see; it shows their potential to compete even against stronger teams.
Editor: Looking ahead, what do you think both teams can take away from this match?
Müller: Germany will need to focus on finalizing their attacking strategies; they have incredible talent, but they must convert that into goals. As for Hungary, their adaptability and ability to fight back should boost their confidence as they prepare for future challenges. Both teams have valuable lessons to learn, and this match certainly provides a platform for growth.
Editor: Thank you, Anna, for your insights! It seems like while the match may not have had significant stakes, it provided a wealth of knowledge for both teams moving forward.
Müller: Exactly! Every match counts in its own way, and the learnings from games like this can be crucial in shaping a team’s future performance.
Editor: Absolutely! Thank you for joining us today, and we look forward to more exciting football discussions in the future.