Joachim Loew was confident Germany would fight back

MUNICH: Joachim Loew said he watched with growing confidence as Germany threw everything forward in the closing stages and equalized six minutes from time through Leon Goretzka to salvage a 2-2 draw with Hungary.

Loew was confident his side would power its way back into the game after twice going behind to unfancied opponent Hungary in a dramatic Euro 2020 group decider in Munich.

"With 10 minutes left we decided to throw on all our attacking players. I really liked the power that we showed, and that's why I had the feeling that we could score a goal.

"At half-time I told the players we need to be faster in our combination play but without losing our nerve, and not trying to attack without structure. I sensed the players wanted to turn it around with all that they could throw at it, to make it to the next round," Loew said.

Hungary was always going to be a difficult opponent even if it was the underdog in a tough group, the German coach added.

"We expected they would make it desperate for us with their defensive block, with their energy in the duels and closing down the spaces. Falling behind twice made it very difficult to turn the match around. We didn't open up enough space in their defence so in the end, it was a strong mentality and good spirit that saw us through," he said.

"We didn't go crazy and we didn't give up, and the character and personality that the team displayed was perfect," he added.

Loew continued that England will be a different prospect in the knockout stage. "England will be at home, in front of their fans and they will want to attack. There won't be any parking the bus as there was tonight. One thing we need to take care of is to cut down on the number of mistakes we made. We gave the ball away too much, and that cannot happen in the next game," he said. Agencies

Also Read: Mats Hummels, Gundogan back in Germany training; Muller jogs alone

Also Watch: