Germany 0-1 Hungary
Well, who’d have thought it!
Not this SBOTOP observer and certainly not the majority of the UEFA Nations League betting odds, however do not adjust your computer: Hungary have beaten Germany for only the fifth time since World War Two and, pertinently, only the second time competitively for more than half a century.
A few friendly victories aside, it was in the 1954 World Cup Finals when Hungary last saw off Germany in tournament football when Ferenc Puskas was in his pomp and Sandor Kocsis scored four in an 8-3 rout.
Even then, Germany won when it really mattered by defeating the Hungarians in the World Cup Final less than a month later, described as the ‘miracle of Bern’
While this Nations League encounter in Leipzig is hardly at the level of any of those aforementioned meetings, this victory will live long in the memory of Hungarian football.
And if they can avoid defeat against Italy on Monday night and top a group containing three of international football’s giants, it will be a magnificent achievement.
Highlights of the game
Hungary stunned England at Wembley in the summer with a 4-0 rout and that Magyar victory was one of the most impressive UEFA Nations League results to date.
While my colleague said he wouldn’t rule out Marco Rossi’s getting a repeat victory, I just couldn’t see it.
Even when the sides met three months ago and played out a 1-1 draw, the smart money would have been on Germany winning this game on home soil.
However, the nation ranked 37th in the world produced a spectacular win with a spectacular backheeled flick that looped into the far corner via Adam Szalai after 17 minutes.
The 34 year-old is actually set to retire after Monday’s final group game but this was a fitting finale to his international career, regardless of what happens against the Italians.
It was the latest set of memorable Nations League highlights for a country which was in League C when the tournament was launched in 2018 before back-to-back promotions saw promotion to League A.
Now, Hungary could qualify for the finals at the first time of asking.
Not bad for a nation which has failed to qualify for the World Cup in Qatar.
Szalai’s 26th international goal was almost added to by Willi Orban who saw an effort well smothered by Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
Despite dominating possession, Germany could not find a way through after the break with Peter Gulasci in fine form and making a number of impressive interventions.
This defeat ended manager Hansi Flick’s 13-game unbeaten run.
He started with eight straight wins, albeit none of them against an opposition of any repute. Then followed four straight draws against tougher opposition before a 5-2 romp against Italy.
This, though, while not having any impact on the World Cup, will hurt.
For Hungary, it will resonate in what was arguably their finest moment for half a century.
Key statistics
Before kick-off, there was a minute’s silence in memory of Hamburg legend and 72-time capped German international Uwe Seeler, who passed away last month at the aged of 85.
Until this evening, the German national team had won each of their last 11 international matches played in Leipzig – in no other city had the side had such a long winning streak.
Along with Manuel Neuer, who missed this match through Covid, Gulacsi was one of five goalkeepers on a joint-league-high 10 clean sheets in last season’s Bundesliga.
What’s next?
Hungary meet Italy on Monday (September 26) and know that if they win or draw they will qualify for next summer’s Nations League semi-finals.
Germany travel to Wembley at the same time to face England in what is a ‘dead rubber’ in a repeat of their last-16 Euro 2020 contest last year.
They head to November’s World Cup with a fine incredible assembly of talent and will be one of the favourites to win the competition.
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