Antonio Rudiger confronts teaching workers over Kai Havertz error in Germany win
When former Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger is displeased, he’s not shy about expressing it.
Despite Germany leading 1-0 at half-time in their Euro 2024 clash with Hungary in Stuttgart – a match they would go on to win 2-0 and secure a last 16 spot with a game in hand – the Real Madrid defender didn’t hesitate to voice his concerns to a member of the coaching staff.
Die Mannschaft, still riding high from their demolition of Scotland in the tournament’s opening game, hadn’t had an easy first half, but were ahead thanks to Jamal Musiala’s close-range goal; the Bayern Munich starlet fired into the net from close range after being set up by Ilkay Gundogan.
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However, Manuel Neuer was kept busy, pulling off several impressive saves, including one from a Dominik Szoboszlai freekick that elicited roars of approval from the home crowd and jubilant celebrations from the bench. Just before half-time, Neuer made another smart save; Szoboszlai’s inward-curving freekick from the left looked destined for the far post until Neuer intervened.
However, Roland Salloi, the Freiburg forward, was ready to pounce on the rebound, reports the Mirror. Sadly for Salloi, he was offside. The linesman flagged, and the Video Assistant Referee confirmed the call.
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(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
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It was a narrow escape for the hosts. Rudiger and Neuer exchanged words in that moment before play resumed. Rudiger was visibly livid as they headed off the pitch at half-time.
He grabbed a member of the Germany coaching staff, furiously pointing back to where the initial header had been won and Arsenal striker Kai Havertz – who had lost out on the initial header, which Neuer had saved. Rudiger’s gripe was that the Germans had aimed to maintain a solid line on the edge of their own penalty area.
However, in his view, Havertz had dropped deep too soon, not held the line, and thus forced Neuer to make the fine save. If he had been unable to, the goal would have counted.
Truth be told, it wasn’t the easiest game for Havertz to get involved in, given how well Hungary were performing. The pass was always a tad late or his movement was just a yard slower than it perhaps needed to be.
There wasn’t much room in the central areas for him, Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz, as well as Ilkay Gundogan, to all operate. As such, just before the hour mark, his evening was cut short, with Niclas Fullkrug replacing him at the forefront of the German attack.
Germany ensured they are the first team to qualify for the last 16 with their victory, goals from captain Gundogan adding to Musiala’s earlier effort in the 67th minute to secure victory.
