By Nathalia Araújo, dpa I Sunday, Sept. 08, 2024
DUSSELDORF – Jamal Musiala had a gala evening as Germany started life after the home Euro 2024 win with a 5-0 win against Hungary in the Nations League on Saturday in Dusseldorf.
The Bayern Munich midfielder scored a goal himself and assisted Niclas Füllkrug, Florian Wirtz and Aleksandar Pavlovic’s first goal for the national team. Kai Havertz completed the victory from the spot.
“This team has the desire to win games, the fans can see that. The chemistry, this group, make the entire difference. We have the chance to be better on sporting terms,” coach Julian Nagelsmann told broadcasters ZDF.
Aiming to build on the Euros euphoria, Germany broke the deadlock in the 27th minute through Füllkrug. Musiala initially couldn’t control a pass from David Raum in front of the goal, but recovered the ball and smartly served Füllkrug, who slotted in the lead.
The hosts almost scored a second in the 33rd, but Havertz’s header hit the crossbar and the ball then bounced just centimetres from the goal line before going out.
The second goal eventually came in the 58th as Wirtz’s long pass found Musiala, who ran through the entire Hungary’s half of the pitch and dribbled the defender before striking the ball into the net.
Musiala crowned his stellar evening by returning the favour to Wirtz in the 66th and serving Pavlovic in the 77th.
The win was complete after Havertz was brought down in the box by Willi Orban and converted the penalty himself in the 81st.
“First game after the Euros, home game…as a spectator, you can’t really understand how important the Nations League is,” Füllkrug told ZDF.
In the other Group A3 match, the Netherlands defeated Bosnia and Herzegovina 5-2. Germany top the group and face the Dutch team on Tuesday.
Germany start life without Kroos, Müller and co
Musiala and Wirtz are expected to lead a new generation in the Germany national team under new captain Joshua Kimmich, who replaced Ilkay Gündogan as the team’s leader.
“That was fun. We’re very happy to have them (Musiala and Wirtz) at this level in our group. It’s a gift that will bring a lot fun to all German spectators in the upcoming years,” Füllkrug said.
The West Ham striker added that Kimmich is “exactly the right” person to be the new captain and that “he deserved it throughout the years.”
Gündogan, as well as 2014 World Cup winners Toni Kroos, Thomas Müller and Manuel Neuer retired from international duty following the Euros this summer.
“They will be definitely missed, but unfortunately and fortunately in football, one is replaceable. Of course the experience is hard to replace, but it’s important for young players that they can grow into it,” Kimmich said.
Neuer, who was the the first choice at the last eight major tournaments since 2010, made way for Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who will now hope to finally solidify himself as Germany’s number one between the posts.
Musiala’s response to Ballond’Or organizers?
Musiala’s stunning performance came on the same week as he was snubbed by the Ballon d’Or organizers and was not included in the 30-man shortlist for the prestigious award announced on Wednesday.
The editor-in-chief of the France Football magazine, who awards the prize, explained that Musiala’s talent was no being called into question just because he was not on the list, recalling that in 2023 he was nominated to the Kopa Trophy as one of the world’s best young players.
“But like Jude Bellingham, his status has evolved and expectations were probably higher this year. As a result, he was probably rated differently,” Vicent Garcia told the Münchner Merkur/tz media group.
