Germany ended their 2024/25 UEFA Nations League group campaign unbeaten after drawing 1-1 with Hungary in Budapest.

Hungary 1-1 Germany
Goals: 0-1 Nmecha 76', 1-1 Szoboszlai (pen. 90'+9)

With Germany already through to the quarter-final stage as group winners, Julian Nagelsmann made nine changes to the team that started the record-breaking rout of Bosnia-Herzegovina three days earlier. Julian Brandt, Serge Gnabry and Leroy Sané were among the players cycled in, the Bundesliga trio combining for the game's first opening of note, which culminated in a Hungary defender making a crucial block. Gnabry then shot wide, before Alexander Nübel was made to work in the Germany goal by Union Berlin-based András Schäfer. Hertha Berlin's Márton Dárdai made a couple of key interventions to thwart the lively Gnabry, while Nübel had to be alert to a well-struck effort from Zsolt Nagy on the stroke of half-time.

Nagelsmann introduced Robin Gosens for Joshua Kimmich at the break, with the former Union left-back quick to warm the palms of Hungary goalkeeper Dénes Dibusz. Julian Brandt went one better on the hour-mark, only to see his cool finish ruled out for an offside in the build-up. Substitute Kai Havertz volleyed against the woodwork as Germany piled on the pressure, but Hungary responded in kind as Barnabás Varga forced a superb save out of Nübel. The breakthrough went the way of the visitors as Felix Nmecha turned in from close range after Borussia Dortmund club-mate Nico Schlotterbeck's initial header had been saved. However, there was time for one final twist as Robin Koch was penalised for a foul upon VAR review, leaving ex-RB Leipzig man Dominik Szoboszlai to sink the resultant penalty and deny Germany a fifth win from six group games.

Match stats

• Germany end the group stage on 14 points (W4, D2).
• No other team has scored more than Germany's 18 goals in the groups. 
• This was the 39th meeting between these teams. Germany edge the head-to-head with 15 wins to Hungary's 11. There have been 13 draws. 
• Germany won the reverse fixture 5-0 in Düsseldorf last September, and beat the Magyars 2-0 at UEFA Euro 2024.
• Nmecha was making his third appearance for the Germany seniors.
• The four-time world champions and three-time Euro winners are bidding to win the Nations League for the first time.

Teams

Hungary: Dibusz – Fiola, Orbán, M. Dárdai - Négo (Gera 65'), Nikitscher (Kata 65'), Schäfer, Zs. Nagy (Schön 82') - Szoboszlai (c), Sallai (Csoboth 82') - Varga (Gruber 89')
Unused subs: Demjén, Szappanos, Szúcs, Balogh, A. Nagy, Gruber, Szabo, Botka
Out: Gazdag (unspecified)
Coach: Marco Rossi 

Germany: Nübel - Kimmich (c) (Gosens 46'), Koch, Schlotterbeck, Henrichs - Nmecha, Andrich - Sané (Kleindienst 79'), Brandt (Havertz 62'), Führich (Musiala 62') - Gnabry (Wirtz 62')
Unused subs: Baumann, Ortega, Mittelstädt, Rüdiger, Groß
Out: Füllkrug (calf), Leweling (thigh), Pavlović (collarbone), Stiller (muscular), Tah (suspended), Undav (thigh)
Coach: Julian Nagelsmann

As it happened!

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