Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala Spark New Era for Germany with Impressive 5-0 Win Over Hungary
Young players Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala made outstanding performances in Germany’s 5-0 victory over Hungary on Saturday in Düsseldorf, giving hope for the country’s future.
The team demonstrated its ability to replace the vacuum left by the summer retirements of 2014 World Cup heroes Manuel Neuer, Toni Kroos, Thomas Müller, and captain Ilkay Gündogan. Wirtz and Musiala, both 21 years old, were on the team, along with 25-year-old Kai Havertz.
Germany defeated Hungary 5-0 in Duesseldorf on Saturday thanks to goals from Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala, who turned on the style. With the retirements of 2014 World Cup champions Manuel Neuer, Toni Kroos, and Thomas Mueller, as well as captain Ilkay Gundogan, the youthful forwards shown that the football-mad nation’s future is bright. The first goal came after 27 minutes when Wirtz found Musiala, who squared for Niclas Fuellkrug.
Musiala doubled Germany’s lead in the second half thanks to a long pass from Wirtz, and the Bayern Munich forward soon returned the favor by providing an assist.
With 13 minutes left, Aleks Pavlovic scored his first goal while wearing Germany’s national team. Nine minutes later, Kai Havertz won and scored from a penalty kick.
Two years out from the 2026 World Cup, the decisive victory shows Germany has the talent to overcome the departures this summer, with Wirtz and Musiala both 21 and Havertz 25.
Musiala told ZDF, “We need to keep building our chemistry, using every game.” “It’s fun to play with Flo (Wirtz)”
“It’s a lot of fun,” Fuellkrug said to ZDF. “Flo and Jamal got into a great fight in the second half, which was extremely entertaining to watch because they’re difficult to stop when they’re that good.
“It’s a gift to have them on the squad; we’re incredibly fortunate. In the upcoming years, every German fan will enjoy watching it.”
“To start so dominantly and with such gravity — I’m just proud of the team,” declared Joshua Kimmich, the new captain.
Julian Nagelsmann, the coach of Germany, complimented the environment at the camp while reiterating his publicly declared goal to win the next World Cup on Friday.
“The chemistry is incredible and has been like that for three or four months — and we’ll need that if we want to fulfil our dreams.”
“It’s going to be tough when both are up for it and they step on the gas,” Nagelsmann said, praising Wirtz and Musiala.
“When they’re on the pitch and they connect with each other, it’s nice to watch.”
The Germany number one was worn for the first time by goalie Marc-Andre ter Stegen, with former Brighton player Pascal Gross asked to step into Kroos’ shoes. Having failed to arrange for the two attackers to play together at the Euros, Nagelsmann started Havertz and Fuellkrug together.
Germany took the lead after 27 minutes with Fuellkrug, who hasn’t scored since transferring to West Ham in the summer. With a brilliant ball, Wirtz found Musiala, who squared the score for Fuellkrug, who scored his 14th goal in 22 international games for Bayern.
Hungary played well in the first half and Havertz squandered two good opportunities to close it, but after 58 minutes, Wirtz scored a goal on the counterattack by unleashing Musiala.
In just eight minutes, Musiala paid it forward by cutting the ball and allowing Wirtz to shoot low and find the bottom corner of the net.
Aleks Pavlovic, who missed Euro 2024 due to sickness, opened the floodgates for the home team with a goal just before Havertz completed the comeback from the penalty spot. Hungary hosts Bosnia and Herzegovina on Tuesday, while Germany travels to Amsterdam to play the Netherlands.
