Hometown hero sends the hosts into knockout stage

On the platforms at Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof, signs hung above the German fans merrily bustling their way out of the train station, into the sunshine, and to the scene of their nation’s game with Hungary.

- ALEX PATTLE

“Heimstadt von Jamal Musiala”, read the signs overhead: “Hometown of Jamal Musiala.” Give him the keys to the city. If the 21-year-old was not a hometown hero before this Euro 2024 clash, he will be now.

If Germany needed any reminder that not every fixture would be as easy as Friday’s game against Scotland, that not every occasion would be as carefree as that tournament opener, then here was that reminder. It still came in the form of victory, thankfully for the hosts, but one that presented tests and required some luck. It also required one player to step up and serve as the sinew in a Germany team that appeared disjointed at times yesterday.

And that was evident at once. Within 15 seconds, Julian Nagelsmann’s players needed goalkeeper Manuel Neuer to bail them out, as the ball broke for Roland Sallai in the Germany box, and a shock opener seemed imminent. Neuer darted off his line and broadened his frame to produce a crucial stop, sparing the hosts the embarrassment endured by Italy last week, when Federico Dimarco gifted Albania a goal after 23 seconds with an errant throw-in.

Until later in the half, Germany’s miscalibrations were more apparent in their attacking play. Their eagerness to produce onetouch moves left players scurrying to maintain possession at times, and their lines were almost blurred – defence, midfielder and offence veering too close to one another. When Germany adjusted and began to attack with more space between their banks, their approaches were more inventive and eye-catching, but no more effective.