STUTTGART: Goals from Jamal Musiala and Ilkay Gndogan ensured Germany became the first team to confirm their place in the knockout stage of UEFA EURO 2024.

Germany found it a more difficult evening than their 5-1 victory over Scotlan in Matchday 1, but Julian Nagelsmann’s side had enough about them to get the three points, which ensured they would at least finish as a best third-place team in the group stage.

After an even opening, Musiala became the first player to score more than once at this EURO, adding to his strike against Scotland last week by blasting in from close range to give the hosts the lead.

Manuel Neuer, making his 17th EURO appearance to go level with Gianluigi Buffon’s goalkeeping record, was called into action on 26 minutes as he dived to his right to brilliantly save a curling Dominik Szoboszlai free-kick.

Toni Kroos came close to doubling Germany’s lead ten minutes into the second half but his deflected effort was clawed away by Péter Gulácsi, before Barnabás Varga headed narrowly ove
r for Hungary.

The game was effectively settled when Maximilian Mittelstädt’s low cross was beautifully stroked into the net by Gndogan to make sure of Germany’s place in the last 16.

Source: Emirates News Agency