The German national team has made a dazzling start to the 2024 European Championship with a resounding 5-1 victory against Scotland. Coach Julian Nagelsmann's team now stands at the brink of securing their spot in the round of 16, and they can achieve this milestone as early as Wednesday. However, their progress depends not just on their own performance but also on the outcome of the match between Switzerland and Scotland.
A win against Hungary will be crucial for Germany, supplemented by Switzerland earning at least a point against Scotland, to ensure Germany's guaranteed advancement to the round of 16. With six points, Germany would secure one of the top two spots in their group, making it impossible for both Scotland and Hungary to overtake them.
Germany's emphatic victory over Scotland has restored confidence among the players and supporters alike, especially after the team's disappointing group stage exits in the last two World Cups. The strong performance has set a positive tone, demonstrating an excellent quality of play and a cold realism in front of the opposing goal, attributes that had been missing in recent tournaments.
Hungary, on the other hand, lost their opening match against Switzerland 1-3, and their chances of advancing to the knockout stage hinge on their performance against Germany. They must avoid another defeat to keep their hopes alive. The Hungarian team showed defensive vulnerabilities against Switzerland, which the German side could exploit.
Should Germany draw with Hungary, they still stand a good chance of advancing due to the European Championship format which also allows the four best third-placed teams in the groups to progress. Historically, no team with four points has ever been eliminated in the preliminary round since this mode was adopted in 2016.
Past tournaments have shown that even teams with just three points can make it to the round of 16, as exemplified by Portugal and Northern Ireland in 2016 and Ukraine in 2021. Thus, a cautious approach might be warranted for Hungary, whereas Germany can play confidently, bolstered by the potential of their young stars Musiala and Wirtz.
- Germany's squad is brimming with confidence after the opening victory. Key players such as Musiala and Wirtz played pivotal roles, and it's expected they will continue to do so against Hungary. Havertz, though not as impressive as some of his colleagues, may make way for Fullkrug, who made an immediate impact after coming on as a substitute against Scotland.
- Hungary's key players, including goalkeeper Gulasci, defender Orban, and captain Szoboszlai, were notable in their limited success against Switzerland. Szoboszlai, in particular, was instrumental in creating a scoring opportunity for Varga.
- The anticipated line-ups see Germany fielding an experienced and in-form squad, including Neuer, Kimmich, Kroos, Musiala, and Wirtz. Hungary will likely maintain their core team but need to improve defensively to stand a chance against a powerful German attack.
- This match is crucial not just for both teams but for fans and bettors alike. Betting companies like Betclic and Betsson are offering various promotional bonuses, providing an engaging platform for sports enthusiasts to place their bets with some financial cushioning. Predictions favor a decisive win for Germany, perhaps by a margin of two or three goals.
