Dominik Szoboszlai Scores Dramatic Equalizer

Dominik Szoboszlai scored a dramatic Panenka penalty in the ninth minute of stoppage time to secure a 1-1 draw for Hungary against Germany in their Nations League match. The penalty came after a lengthy VAR review which led referee Duje Strukan to watch a pitchside monitor and confirm that Robin Koch had handled Mihaly Kata’s shot. Dominik Szoboszlai calmly chipped his spot-kick down the middle to deny Germany victory.

Germany already confirmed as Group A3 winners with a game to spare had taken the lead earlier through Felix Nmecha. The midfielder netted his first international goal by converting a rebound after Denes Dibusz had saved Nico Schlotterbeck’s initial shot. Despite a heavily rotated lineup by coach Julian Nagelsmann, who made nine changes, Germany remained unbeaten in the competition and will face Croatia, Italy or Denmark in the March quarter-finals.

Hungary finishing third in the group, will play a two-legged relegation play-off in March, needing to win to avoid dropping to a lower tier. They had several chances in the first half but efforts from Andras Schafer, Zsolt Nagy and Barnabas Varga were all saved by German goalkeeper Alexander Nubel. Arsenal’s Kai Havertz brought on in the 62nd minute almost gave Germany the lead but saw his shot bounce off the post.

In the other Group A3 match, the Netherlands already secure in second place, ended their group phase with a 1-1 draw against Bosnia-Herzegovina. Brian Brobbey put the Netherlands ahead before Bosnia equalized through Ermedin Demirovic. This result followed Bosnia’s heavy 7-0 loss to Germany earlier in the week marking a record defeat in the Nations League.