Hungary host Germany in the final game of the Nations League group stages. Recent results mean there is little to play for on both sides, though they will each want to end with three points.
Date: 19/11/24
Kick-off time: 19:45
Venue: Puskás Aréna Park
With one game to go, Germany have already secured top spot in the group. Victory over Bosnia & Herzegovina last time out put them on 13 points, five clear of second place Netherlands. So far, they have come through the group stages undefeated, and will be confident in ensuring six games without a loss.
Looking to stop them is Hungary who, barring a win and a miraculous result in the other fixture between Netherlands and Bosnia, will end their Nations League campaign with a third place finish. They trail the Dutch by three points, but are 13 behind on goal difference. However, they will hope to finish on a positive note, especially at home.
Although Germany could go with an altered lineup, the Hungary attack may face issues going forward. The hosts have scored just three goals in the tournament, and come up against a defence who have kept three clean sheets. The Germans also have conceded the second-fewest goals of any team in League A, with three. If Hungary are to threaten, any success will likely go through Dominik Szoboszlai. The midfielder has scored only one goal for Liverpool this season, but found the net twice earlier in the group stages.
At the other end, they face a tough task in stopping Julian Nagelsmann’s men. Borussia Monchengladbach striker Tim Kleindienst has had an excellent start to the Bundesliga season, and has carried this form over for his country. He scored twice in the side’s 7-0 win over Bosnia. Kai Havertz, Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala were also on the scoresheet. Leroy Sane and Serge Gnabry both came off the bench, highlighting the strength in depth they possess.
This has been a frequent fixture in recent years with these two teams meeting five times since 2021. There has not been much to split the pair as Germany have recorded two wins to Hungary’s one with two draws. The Germans are winners of two in a row, winning 2-0 in the Euros, and 5-0 in the reverse fixture earlier in this competition, which took place in September. Hungary’s last win came in the 2022 Nations League, as they won 1-0 away from home. Adam Szalai scored the winner.