Germany held to 1-1 draw in Hungary from Szoboszlai's late penalty

Dominik Szoboszlai converted a penalty on the last kick of the game as Hungary held visiting Germany to a 1-1 draw in their Nations League group finale on Tuesday.

Liverpool's Szoboszlai chipped the ball Panenka-like into the middle of the goal with Alexander Nübel diving to his right in the ninth minute of stoppage time, after Robin Koch had handled the ball.

Germany had led from midfielder Felix Nmecha who poked home in the 76th minute after goalkeeper Denes Dibusz had saved a diving header from Borussia Dortmund team-mate Nico Schlotterbeck.

Substitute Kai Havertz hit the post and Julian Brandt had a goal disallowed for offside for the Germans.

Nübel made three earlier crucial saves in Budapest where coach Julian Nagelsmann had made nine changes after Saturday's 7-0 demolition of Bosnia-Herzegovina.

That was possible because Germany were already assured of first place in the group and will face a runner-up in the quarter-finals in March, either Italy, Croatia or Denmark. Hungary in third will go into a play-off to stay in League A. The draws are on Friday.

Germany satisfied with year

Germany finished a remarkable turnaround year after a meagre period with 10 victories, four draws and just one defeat, 2-1 against eventual champions Spain in the Euro 2024 quarter-finals.

"We wanted to win the game but we can still be very satisfied with the year 2024," midfielder Robert Andrich told broadcasters ZDF.

Nagelsmann said of the year: "I am very satisfied. I have never felt such a feeling of unity before."

Looking at the match, he said: "We did a few things well and others not so well. It wasn't easy after a 7-0 and with the many changes. All in all the way the Hungarians celebrated the equalizer speaks in our favour."

Hungary defender Willi Orban said: "It was quite balanced. Germany had control but we also had our moments. We were a little lucky with the late penalty."

New look Germans fail to break through

Nagelsmann rang the changes in the 2024 finale, with captain Joshua Kimmich and Andrich the only remaining starters from Saturday's match, and Nmecha and Chris Führich earning a first start.

Serge Gnabry had a first attempt which went well wide left as Germany dominated the early stages. But they then started to lose too many balls and Nübel had to make a first save against Andras Schäfer.

Nübel was on his guard as well against Zsolt Nagy in the 39th, after Germany had finally threatened again from a free-kick by Benjamin Henrichs which dipped but sailed just over.

Kimmich then got a rest at the break and his replacement Robin Gosens was denied by Dibusz. The ball was finally in Hungary's net on the hour but Brandt was offside before firing home.

The formidable attacking trio of Havertz, Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala came on in the 62nd and a minute later Havertz shot against the right post.

Germany score but Hungary have last laugh

Nübel then also denied Barnabas Varga with his right arm and Germany thought they had won it from the corner kick delivered by Wirtz.

But a shot from Mihaly Kata then hit Koch's arm and Croatian referee Duje Strukan awarded the penalty upon review - to the later dismay of Nagelsmann and Andrich - and Szoboszlai made no mistake from the spot.