Havertz on target as Germany thrash Hungary in Nations League

Kai Havertz was on the scoresheet as Germany opened their Nations League campaign with a resounding 5-0 win over Hungary in Dusseldorf.

Julian Nagelsmann’s men – lacking recent retirees Manuel Neuer, Ilkay Gundogan, Toni Kroos and Thomas Muller – were too strong for their opponents and led 1-0 at the break thanks to a Niclas Fullkrug goal.

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Jamal Musiala made it 2-0 13 minutes into the second half with Florian Wirtz and Aleksander Pavlov also getting on target before Havertz completed the rout from the penalty spot with nine minutes to go.

The Netherlands also scored five in League A, Group 3 to see off Bosnia-Herzegovina 5-2.

Manchester United striker Joshua Zirkzee got the ball rolling in Eindhoven but Ermedin Demirovic levelled for the visitors after 27 minutes.

Tijjani Reijnders restored Oranje’s lead in first-half stoppage time and Cody Gakpo made it 3-1 after 56 minutes.

The evergreen Edin Dzeko pulled one back but substitute Wout Weghorst and Xavi Simons scored to round off a good night for Ronald Koeman.

Goals, goals, goals 🥵

What a day of #NationsLeague football… pic.twitter.com/NNjyzn06sa

— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) September 7, 2024

In League B, Group 1 there were wins for Georgia and Albania.

The Georgians, who were so impressive at Euro 2024, hammered the Czech Republic 4-1 in Tbilisi. 

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s penalty put the home side ahead and further goals from Giorgi Chakvetadze, Georges Mikautadze and Giorgi Kochorashvili saw them run away it long before Lukas Kalvach pulled one back.

Albania came from behind to win 2-1 in Ukraine. Yukhym Konoplia put the hosts ahead but goals from Ardian Ismajili and Jason Asani saw Albania to an opening-day win.

In League B, Group 2, goals from Declan Rice and Jack Grealish gave England a 2-0 win in the Republic of Ireland while Greece thrashed Finland 3-0 with Fotis Ioannidis netting a brace either side of an own goal from Benjamin Kallman.