Der letzte Eindruck war nicht immer der beste, den die deutsche Fußball-Nationalmannschaft in den vergangenen Länderspieljahren hinterließ. 2020 kam sie mit einem 0:6 aus Spanien zurück, zwei Jahre später gelang zwar ein 4:2-Sieg über Costa Rica, der reichte aber nicht, um zumindest die Vorrunde der Weltmeisterschaft zu überstehen. Das 0:2 vergangenen November in Österreich zum Abschluss des Jahres 2023 hatte sportlich nicht die Dimension des in den Sand gesetzten Turniers, dennoch blieb die Schmach von Wien nicht nur Joshua Kimmich als „absoluter Tiefpunkt“ im Gedächtnis.
Die Niederlage, bei der die Österreicher die Auswahl von Julian Nagelsmann herspielten, wird aber, das ist mit dem Wissen um die Entwicklung der deutschen Auswahl im Jahr danach zu konstatieren, auch als Wendepunkt der jüngere Länderspielhistorie wahrgenommen.
Seit der Bundestrainer seine Mannschaft in der Winterpause in vielen Belangen völlig neu aufstellte, umweht die Deutschen nach bleiernen Jahren wieder eine Leichtigkeit, die mit sportlichem Erfolg korrespondiert, selbst wenn im Sommer bei der Europameisterschaft im eigenen Land das vorzeitige Aus im Viertelfinale kam.
Zum guten Eindruck, den die Nationalmannschaft 2024 abgab, trug indes auch der letzte Auftritt bei. Das 1:1 in Budapest am Dienstagabend in der in der Puskás Aréna in Budapest zum Abschluss der Nations League war lediglich ein wenig ärgerlich, weil Ungarn durch Dominik Szoboszlai erst in der Nachspielzeit per Handelfmeter ausglich. Felix Nmecha erzielte in der 76. Minute die deutsche Führung.
The self-image that the team wants to develop on the way to the 2026 World Cup, which has often been mentioned in recent months, was evident in Budapest, even if, contrary to Nagelsmann’s previous premise, the starting eleven was hardly different compared to the 7-0 win over Bosnia-Hercegovina on Saturday was recognizable. With captain Kimmich and Robert Andrich there were only two players in the starting line-up who were also there in Freiburg.
The German discovery phase due to the significantly changed line-up took a little playing time. The absence of Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz had an impact. Instead of individual actions by the two artists, the offensive was characterized by quick combinations, which sometimes lacked precision.
The first approach to the goal was made by Serge Gnabry, whose shot went wide (12th minute). The reserved Hungarians ventured forward for the first time during András Schäfer’s attempt; Alexander Nübel, who replaced Oliver Baumann as agreed, held on in the follow-up (24th).
Switched to Bosnia mode
Now the spectators’ football hearts became warmer in the cold, wet weather in Hungary’s capital. Benjamin Henrichs tried a Wirtz-style free kick, but instead of putting the ball into the goal, he put it on the goal (30′). Hungary had the best chance of the first half. Kimmich couldn’t keep up, but Zsolt Nagy shot too inaccurately in front of Nübel: the German goalkeeper made a save (39′).
For the second half, Kimmich stayed in the dressing room, Sané took over the captain’s armband – and substitute Robin Gosens had the first chance. After Gnabry put the ball down, the shot ended up in the arms of Dénes Dibusz (50th).
When Julian Brandt scored ten minutes later, the assistant referee’s flag went up: the German was offside. Nagelsmann then switched to Bosnia mode, at least offensively: Musiala, Wirtz and Kai Havertz came on – and he immediately caused the first bang when his volley hit the post (63′).
On the other hand, a mistake by Andrich gave the Hungarians a great chance. But Nübel parried with his hand against Barnabás Varga in world-class style (67th). When the German goal came, Wirtz had his feet in the game. After his corner, Nico Schlotterbeck’s header was denied by Dibusz, and Nmecha shot the rebound into the goal from close range.
In stoppage time, referee Duje Strukan was sent to the screen. Robin Koch received the ball on his arm after a shot from Mihály Kata. Szoboszlai casually lobbed the shot into the middle of the goal (90+9).
The fact that there was no longer a lot of tension in Budapest was evident from the table on the last matchday of the group phase: Germany could no longer be pushed out of first place, the Hungarians were secure in third place. While they are playing against relegation to League B in March, the Germans are trying to reach the final round of the best four teams via the quarter-finals with two legs.
The draw will take place on Friday from 12 p.m.: Possible quarter-final opponents are Italy, Croatia and Denmark; Germany starts the 2025 international match year away from home on March 20th, with the second leg at home three days later. Wirtz will definitely miss the first leg of the quarter-final on foreign soil, as he was shown a yellow card after a tactical foul in Budapest and is therefore suspended.
The last impression
If Portugal, Spain, France and the Netherlands also want to make it to the “Final Four”, the German Football Association (DFB) hopes to play the host role. The semi-finals – without second legs – are scheduled for June 4th and 5th, the final for June 8th.
Halfway through the coming international season will be mapped out this week, with the second half taking shape on December 13th. The qualifying groups for the 2026 World Cup, which begins in September 2025, will then be drawn. It will then be clear who the DFB team will play against at the end of the coming year.
There is hope that the final impression in 2025 will be a good one, similar to this year. The last international match in Hungary in 2024 showed this once again, despite the late equalizer.
