Germany concludes Nations League group stage with a draw

Germany concluded their Nations League group stage with a dramatic 1-1 draw against Hungary, as Dominik Szoboszlai's 99th-minute penalty salvaged a point for the hosts. Meanwhile, the Netherlands shared the same scoreline with Bosnia and Herzegovina in their final match. Both encounters took place in Group A3, where the stakes had already been decided before the final day. Germany entered the match having secured top spot in the group, guaranteeing their place in the next stage of the competition. The Netherlands, firmly in second place, faced no threat to their position. Hungary, sitting comfortably four points above the already-relegated Bosnia, had little to lose but took the opportunity to finish their campaign on a high note.

The late equalizer in Hungary marked a thrilling end to an otherwise low-stakes evening of football. Germany, unbeaten throughout the group stage, showcased consistency and depth, while Hungary’s spirited performance demonstrated their resilience. The Netherlands’ draw with Bosnia reflected a measured approach from both sides, with Bosnia already resigned to demotion. Despite the lack of immediate consequences, the matches provided entertaining fare for fans and valuable preparation time for the teams as they look ahead to future challenges. Germany’s dominant group stage performance reaffirmed their position as a powerhouse in European football, while Hungary and the Netherlands showed flashes of promise that bode well for their ambitions in the next competition cycle.

"With a win, we would've gone into the break with a nicer feeling but we can still be very satisfied about what we achieved in 2024 and can kick things off again in March," said German midfielder Robert Andrich.

Wales secured automatic promotion to the Nations League's top division with an emphatic 4-1 win over Iceland in Group B4, edging out Turkey, who fell 3-1 to Montenegro. The victory marked a triumphant finish to Wales’ campaign, ensuring their rise to the top tier of European football. Meanwhile, the Czech Republic claimed top spot in Group B1 with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Georgia. The result sealed their promotion, while Ukraine moved past Georgia into second place by defeating Albania. The standings shuffle highlighted the intensity of competition in the group as teams vied for higher rankings.

In Budapest, Germany's coach Julian Nagelsmann made several changes to his starting XI, with the team having already secured first place in Group A3 last week after a dominant 7-0 win over Bosnia. Despite the altered lineup, Germany appeared set for another victory when Felix Nmecha broke a deadlock in the 76th minute, prodding the ball home from close range to give his side a late lead. However, Germany’s perfect end to the group stage slipped away in the dying moments, as Hungary equalized deep into injury time, drawing 1-1. The result closed out a campaign that reinforced Germany's status as one of the tournament's most formidable sides.