Goretzka goal sends Germany through to knockout stages
A 2-2 draw with Hungary was enough to send Germany through to the last-16 of Euro 2020.
| Leon Goretzka. | Photo: Steffen Prößdorf, CC BY-SA 4.0 |
Joachim Löw's troops were trailing 0-1 and 1-2, but salvaged a draw thanks to second-half substitute Leon Goretzka's late equaliser.
The draw means Germany will face England in the last-16 after finishing second in Group F, one point behind France and on points with third-placed Portugal, who drew 2-2 in Budapest.
Just like in their previous games against France and Portugal, Germany fell behind early. In a first half played in pouring rain, Hungary grabbed the lead 11 minutes into the game as Adam Szalai headed in a cross from Roland Sallai.
Mats Hummels came close to leveling the score in the 21st minute, but the experienced centre-back could only direct his header onto the bar.
Hungary managed to hold on to their lead until the 66th minute when Germany equalised after a mistake by goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi.
The RB Leipzig shot stopper came out out for the ball, but failed to connect with it. Mats Hummels then headed the ball towards goal, and it dropped for Kai Havertz, who nodded into the empty net.
But Hungary reacted promptly and went straight down the other end to reclaim their lead. Germany were still celebrating their goal when Adam Szalai lofted the ball through to Andras Schäfer, who directed a header past Manuel Neuer.
Germany kept attacking, and with 84 minutes on the clock, second-half substitute Leon Goretzka stepped up for Löw's side. After a shot from Timo Werner was blocked, the ball fell to the feet of Goretzka, who beat Gulacsi with a powerful shot and sent Germany through to the knockout stages.