Goals from Jamal Musiala and Ílkay Gündogan gave Germany a comfortable 2-0 win over Hungary in Group A on Wednesday that made the host nation the first side to qualify for the knockout stage at Euro 2024.
With two wins out of two, the Germans are guaranteed to be at least among the four best third-placed teams, and they will finish in the top two of the group if Scotland fail to beat Switzerland later on Wednesday. That scenario would also prevent Hungary from finishing in the top two.
That scenario would also prevent Hungary from finishing in the top two.
Musiala, playing in his hometown, gave the Germans the lead in the 22nd minute after some horrendous Hungarian defending led to the ball being poked into his path by Gundogan, and the 21-year-old needed no second invitation, hammering the ball in via a defender.
Roland Sallai had a goal ruled out in first-half stoppage time for Hungary and they wasted a number of other decent chances before Gündogan, in a man-of-the-match performance, scored in the 67th minute with a simple finish after a clinical build-up.
While few will have bet against the home side, it was in fact Germany’s first competitive win over Hungary since the 1954 World Cup final.
Watched by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, the match began in a febrile atmosphere with thousands of fans having spent the day partying around Stuttgart.
Germany were able to keep possession and run the clock down as they assured their place in the next round ahead of a final group game against Switzerland on Sunday.
Hungary could still progress if they beat Scotland and other results go in their favour.