Germany are already through to the round of 16 in their home EURO after two group games. The record European champions beat Hungary 2-0 in Stuttgart on Wednesday evening and now have six points on the board.
Bayern ace Jamal Musiala opened the scoring in the 22nd minute and also played a key role in the second goal for captain Ilkay Gündogan in the 67th minute. Manuel Neuer preserved the clean sheet with a number of top saves, while Joshua Kimmich was also in the starting line-up. Leroy Sané came on after 58 minutes and Thomas Müller remained on the bench.
"It was certainly very important," summarised Neuer after the final whistle. "We were determined to back up the performance against Scotland."
Manuel Neuer put in a commanding performance in national colours against Hungary.
Musiala and Neuer star
After a scare inside the first minute, when Neuer prevented an early goal with a first-class reflex save, the German team dominated proceedings with composure on the ball and a steady defence. Julian Nagelsmann's side again got an early reward with the goal by Musiala, who kept cool after a brave pursuit from Gündogan and buried the ball into the net. After that, Germany were particularly indebted to their number one that it stayed 1-0 until the break, with Neuer making two crucial saves.
Into the round of 16! Joshua Kimmich, who took over the captain's armband when Gündogan went off, celebrates with teammates.
Hungary remained well in the contest in the second half, as they have been in previous encounters with Germany, but die Mannschaft continued to impress with their poise, composure on the ball and cool-headedness. After a pass out wide from Musiala, Maximilian Mittelstädt cut the ball back for Gündogan to finish crisply to make it 2-0. Bayern's Kimmich could've made it three two minutes later but his attempt sailed wide of the target.
The result means that Nagelsmann's men already have a last-16 spot in the bag ahead of the final group game against Switzerland on Sunday (21:00 CEST) in Frankfurt. The question is from which position Neuer and Co will qualify for the knockout stages.
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