Match 1: Germany vs Hungary
Match analysis: In Group A in Stuttgart, hosts Germany will face Hungary. Germany have the ability to secure a place for the knockout stages of Euro 2024 with one remaining fixture.
Julian Nagelsmann's side broke the record with a 5-1 thrashing of Scotland in their opening game, while Hungary were beaten 1-3 by Switzerland.
Germany beat Scotland at the Allianz Arena on Friday to make European history and record the biggest opening win in the history of the men's competition.
It was one of seven astonishing records broken by Nagelsmann's relentless players, who had two 21-year-olds, Wirtz and Musiala, thanks to their initial dominance, with Wirtz's goal in the first half becoming the first goal of the tournament! Kai Havertz assists Musiala to extend his advantage! Gundogan makes a point, Havertz takes the penalty! In the second half, substitute Phil Kruger scored with a blast, and then another goal was blown offside; Rudiger owns himself late in the game! Emre Can scores from distance in stoppage time! In the end, Germany beat Scotland 5-1 to get off to a good start!
When Musiala was substituted in the 74th minute, the home fans who poured into the Allianz Arena stood up and applauded the 21-year-old as he left the pitch. A standing ovation was a fitting tribute to Musiala, who intimidated the Scottish backline with his superb dribbling skills and nearly broke the net with a thunderous shot.
Nagelsmann's side will face a tougher challenge as Euro 2024 progresses, but they have shown themselves to be potential champions in their opening game, with Musiala looking like a man with his sights set on the Player of the Tournament award. The 21-year-old Bayern Munich player is already a world-class player and he continues to unleash his limitless potential in the years to come.
In fact, Musiala is heading into Euro 2024 after a frustrating club season as he was part of Bayern's team that failed to win the league trophy for the first time in 12 years. Bayer Leverkusen beat Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga, while Real Madrid beat them on their way to a record 15th Champions League title, and Thomas Tuchel's men were knocked out of the DFB Cup by third-tier side Saarbrücken in the second round.
There have been plenty of players who have underperformed in Bayern's dismal season, but Musiala is one of the few players who can hold his head high while signing Harry Kane in the summer. Musiala has developed a strong rapport with Kane, with the England captain scoring 44 goals in his debut season at Bayern Munich and the striker regretting the FA's failure to bring him to the national team.
It is entirely possible that these two team-mates will face off in the latter stages of Euro 2024. If England finish second in their group and Germany win their group, then they could potentially play in another round of 16, while they could well meet in the final quarter-finals if the roles are reversed.
Musiala is now a standout player compared to the last European Championship, as he only needs a split second to change the momentum of the game with his unique combination of skills. Hungary could be the next team to learn that lesson in this game. Because this is the time of Musiala.
If Germany win on Wednesday night, they will take their rightful place in the opening round of Group A, ahead of Switzerland on goal difference, then Germany's place in the top two will be confirmed, as even if Scotland can beat Switzerland their poor head-to-head record will make them unable to replace Germany.
Nagelsmann's tenure may have had a lackluster start, but Euro 2024 hosts are now riding a five-game unbeaten run, four of which ended in victory, and they have all the necessary momentum to secure a top-two spot against their nearest opponents.
—— Why Germany Wins ——
Hungary has a clear plan to go into the European Championships. They need to keep their game in a balanced or positive state of play because when they fall behind, everything falls apart. This happened against Switzerland, a team whose attacking talent was far from that of Germany. Hungary struggled from set-pieces, having the fifth-most counter-attacking shots in qualifying.
Hungary did not perform well defensively against Switzerland. Switzerland effectively suppressed Szobosloy, and a solid German game plan would make Szobosloy an irrelevant factor. Germany didn't have any problems with the Scotland team as they were already 3-0 up before the red card. Hungary are not close to Scotland and you can expect another onslaught from Germany here.
It's been less than three years since Hungary drew 2-2 with Germany in the group stage of Euro 2020, and then managed to take four points against Germany after Rossi led his side to a 1-0 win over Germany in September 2022 in the most recent UEFA Nations League. Adam Zale was the hero of the day's only goal and his last international goal before retiring.
Before Murat Jakin's side closed, Kvar Dua and Michel Ebischer pushed Switzerland to a two-goal lead, and then in the 65th minute, Szobosloy lobbed in the far corner of the box from the left and Volgao swooped down to head home to make it 2-1, but the Swiss withstood the pressure of the Hungarians in the latter stages and restored their two-goal advantage through Embolo's delicate shot just before the break.
Hungary lost their tactics in the first half and made unusual mistakes that led to their defeat in this game. Hungarian coach Marco Rossi doesn't think they will do it again, but the game against Germany won't get any easier. Szobosloy got off to a poor start on his debut, with the youngest captain of the tournament failing to generate much attack other than assisting Hungary's 66th-minute goal. Hungary's efforts to become Cinderella at this European Championship could fail unless they can keep this game close after losing to Switzerland.
As a result, Rossi's side sit third in the embryonic Group A rankings – a ranking that, based on their performances, would be enough to secure them a place in the knockout rounds – and only lead Scotland on goal difference, so their top-two aspirations could come to a swift end in Stuttgart this week.
Hungary have suffered defeats from Switzerland in their last 17 matches and this is only their second defeat in all competitions, and while both defeats have occurred this month, the 12-game scoring sequence should offer a modicum of solace to Hungarian's loyal fans.
—— Why Hungary will win ——
In this matchup, it will be difficult to find a reason to support Hungary. Their game could end before a loss to Switzerland, and they could be frustrated after a disappointing defeat. Hungary's positive advantage is the biggest breakaway in this game, and he is none other than Szobosloy. The 23-year-old's miraculous individual effort could put Hungary ahead and see if Hungary can excel in a positive form of play.
Germany could dominate this game, and if Germany don't, the Hungarian star could break through and score a late goal, just like they did against Switzerland in the 66th minute. In any case, Germany scored five goals against Scotland and should be close to that level against Hungary.
With a German side on attacking firepower able to overwhelm Hungary, Nagelsmann's side should have an easy victory and book a place in the knockout rounds.
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