Hungary vs Germany

Puskas Arena sets the stage for an exciting UEFA Nations League group-stage finale between Hungary and Germany.

Hungary’s hopes of leapfrogging the Netherlands into second in Group A3 evaporated last week as they slipped to a disastrous 4-0 defeat in Amsterdam, losing crucial ground on Ronald Koeman’s side. Despite only winning once in five matches during this Nations League cycle (D2, L2), the Magyars have secured a relegation playoff berth with a game to spare, entering the final matchday four points clear of rock-bottom Bosnia. Marco Rosi’s men have avoided immediate relegation only thanks to a three-game unbeaten streak before the abovementioned slumped in Holland (W1, D2). Interestingly, both those draws came on home turf, as Bosnia (0-0) and the Dutch (0-0) held them winless, extending their impressive unbeaten streak in Hungary to 12 consecutive matches (W9, D3).

On the other hand, Germany’s emphatic 7-0 home triumph against the Bosnians in the penultimate round saw them lock down a top-table finish with a game to spare, upholding their near-flawless record in Group A3 (W4, D1). Furthermore, ‘Die Mannschaft’ trounced Hungary 5-0 at home on matchday one, solidifying their imperious H2H record since 1959 (W8, D6, D3). Through to the Nations League playoffs for the first time, Julian Nagelsmann’s lads head to Budapest eager to maintain an impressive run of not losing a match in regulation this calendar year (W10, D4). Indeed, Germany’s only defeat in 2024 came against Spain in extra time of their Euro 2024 quarter-final tie.