Germany cruise past Hungary in pre-tournament friendly

Germany 2-0 Hungary
(Lang O.G. 39', Müller 64')

Germany rounded off their preparations for the start of the European Championships next week with a 2-0 win over Hungary. An own goal from Adam Lang sent the Germans on their way, before Thomas Müller scored his 32nd international goal to secure a morale-boosting win in Gelsenkirchen.

Joachim Löw's side disappointed in the 3-1 loss against Slovakia last week - a performance reminiscent of some poor showings leading up to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. However, before the Hungary game, the Germany coach warned against writing his team off following their third defeat in four international matches in Augsburg.

While Germany ran out winners over Hungary, Löw will feel there is room for improvement.

Antonio Rüdiger stood in for the injured Mats Hummels, while Benedikt Höwedes was given the nod at right back. The home side started brightly, attacking from the kickoff. In attack, it was another Bayern talent who was pivotal to Germany's strong start.

Mario Götze's superb close control around the box sucked in most of the Hungarian rearguard inside the first minute. The 24-year-old forward then found Julian Draxler, who stroked the ball home but was wrongly adjudged to have been in an offside position.

Given the absence of Ilkay Gundogan and Marco Reus from the squad and Mats Hummels from the first two games of the tournament, there was genuine concern that Germany could suffer more injury-enforced dropouts ahead of the tournament. Jerome Boateng received groin treatment within the first five minutes and Sami Khedira hobbled through the first period after taking a knock in a challenge, but both played on.

Ideal result before France trip

The Germans picked off the Hungarian side, who will feature at the Euros for the first time in 44 years, and could have been out of sight after 10 minutes. Müller forced a save from Gabor Kiraly and Rüdiger headed wide from a corner kick when he should have scored.

Germany's most potent option in attack, though, would force the opener towards the end of the half. Draxler combined intelligently with the overlapping Jonas Hector, the Cologne left back sliding across goal. Götze's movement to the front post was canny, but the final touch came off Adam Lang, leaving Kiraly helpless on his goal line.

Emre Can and Mario Gomez were given places in the side at the break, replacing Jonas Hector and Khedira. The impact of the usual array of substitutions was negative for the tempo and flow of the game. This suited the Hungarians - coached by German pair Bernd Storck and Andreas Möller - who began to pepper Manuel Neuer's goal with shots from distance.

But there was time for Müller to get on the scoresheet in typical Müller fashion. Gomez's header was parried clear and Müller followed up to net from close range. Löw's men answered some questions in the wake of the Slovakia defeat, but the world champions will know the real business begins next week when they are in France.