Germany 2-0 Hungary: Player ratings for Diemannschaft as Musiala and Gundogan strikes ensure round-of-16 passage | UEFA Euro 2024
Germany cantered into the round of 16 of UEFA Euro 2024 after beating Hungary 2-0 in Stuttgart on Wednesday, June 19. Jamal Musiala and Ilkay Gundogan got their name on the scoresheet for Die Mannschaft, who pushed the Magyars to the brink of an exit.
After probing Hungary's backline for a while, the hosts finally had the breakthrough when Musiala clinically finished beyond Peter Gulacsi following a slip-up by Willy Orban in the build-up.
Hungary saw a handful of near-misses in the opening half with Germany also coming agonizingly close to doubling their advantage but only held a 1-0 lead going into the break.
Julian Naglesmann's side continued to be dominant and menacing after the break too, and minutes after the hour mark, Gundogan made it 2-0 with a simple yet powerful finish from close range.
As frustrated as they were, Hungary saw a shot blocked off the line by Joshua Kimmich in the 90th minute, denying them a chance to ensure some squeaky bum time in Stuttgart.
With six points in two games, Germany are assured of a place in the knockout stages, whereas Hungary remain pointless going into their final group fixture against Scotland this weekend.
Here are the player ratings for Germany:
Manuel Neuer - 8/10
Hungary barely threatened but Neuer was in complete control of Germany's area and bagged his first clean sheet of Euro 2024.
Joshua Kimmich - 9/10
The architect of Germany's victory, Kimmich was a blazing ball of fire down the right, prancing forward at full pelt to boost their attacking menace, while never relinquishing his defensive duties. He completed 99 percent of his passes, laid three key passes and four crosses, but also blocked one shot and made two interceptions.
Antonio Rudiger - 8/10
The mortar to Germany's brick, Rudiger was an unbeatable fortress for the hosts, showing excellent vision and positional awareness to ensure everything was kosher in the backline. He made five clearances in the game and completed 95 percent of his passes too.
Jonathan Tah - 8/10
The Bayer Leverkusen star perfectly complimented his Real Madrid counterpart with an equally stoic display, not allowing Hungarian forwards much time and space to work into. Tah, too, made five clearances, but also blocked one shot and made two interceptions.
Maximilian Mittelstadt - 8.5/10
The 27-year-old was eclipsed by bigger names around him, but his performance was no less. Mittelstadt was a livewire on the left flank, bombing forward with speed, grit, and purpose, as Hungary had to keep a weather eye on him. The Stuttgart ace made nine crosses and was a menace off the ball too, winning four ground duels. Most importantly, he set up Gundogan for their second goal.
Robert Andrich - 8/10
He worked in tandem with Kroos, breaking down Hungary's plays with his vital interventions. Biting at the heels of his opponents, Andrich made seven ground duels, winning five, and another three aerially. He also made four clearances and tackles each, a testament to his defensive nous.
Toni Kroos - 8.5/10
The pass master was at it again, completing over 100 passes in the game, and fed his forwards with an array of inviting crosses too (11 in total). Such a vital vog in Germany's wheel.
Jamal Musiala - 8.5/10
The Bayern Munich starlet followed up his top-drawer strike from the opening game with another solid effort to put Germany in front. Two goals in two games now for Musiala, who is taking the Euros by storm.
Ilkay Gundogan - 9/10
After a no-show on the opening day, Gundogan sprang to life here, assisting Musiala for the opening goal before netting Germany's second one himself with a cool finish from close range.
Florian Wirtz - 5/10
A massive drop-off from his sprightly display in their first game as Wirtz looked off-colored today, failing to muster a single shot on target or a cross in the match.
Kai Havertz - 5/10
Having begun the campaign with a goal and an assist, Havertz wasn't able to build on that momentum here. Lacking in his attacking effervescence, the Arsenal man cut a forlorn figure upfront and was hooked off after the hour mark.
Substitutes
Leroy Sane - 6.5/10
He came on for the rather anemic Wirtz and proved to be a slight upgrade, with Sane creating two good chances in the game.
Niclas Fullkrug - 6/10
No off-the-bench heroics this time but Fullkrug was actively involved in the proceedings for Germany.
Chris Fuhrich - 6/10
The Stuttgart man demonstrated his excellent passing range.
Emre Can - 7/10
He completed all 16 of his passes and created one good chance too.
Deniz Undav - N/A
Germany were still pushing for another goal when he came on but Undav struggled to impose himself in the closing stages.