Group F: Germany vs Hungary, kick-off 8pm (UK time, BBC Two)

Germany face Hungary tonight with Group F hanging in the balance – all four teams could still qualify with a positive result in their respective fixtures.

The feeling around this German side has taken a complete U-turn since their routing of Portugal.

That result and performance sent the message around Europe that Joachim Low’s men shouldn’t be ruled out of contention, despite diminished expectations heading into the tournament.

People wrote off Hungary’s chances too, when they were drawn in the so-called ‘group of death.’ But the Magyars are more than holding their own.

Despite sitting bottom of the group, victory in Munich would give Marco Rossi’s side every chance of progressing to the knockout rounds.

Story so far

Hungary have surprised many with their performances at Euro 2020.

After keeping Portugal at bay for 84 minutes of their clash with the Selecao, they will certainly feel hard done by to have lost that game 3-0.

The Magyars then took the lead against France in their second match of the tournament, ultimately earning a shock 1-1 draw with the tournament favourites.

Germany, meanwhile, lost their opening group game 1-0 to France, but improved significantly against Portugal – trouncing the reigning European champions 4-2, thanks to two Portuguese own-goals and strikes from Kai Havertz and Robin Gosens.

High praise for Havertz

It has been quite the month for Chelsea's Havertz. After scoring the winning goal in the Champions League final, Germany manager Low has shown his faith in the forward, starting him in both of their opening two games at the Euros.

Havertz repaid his manager’s faith on Saturday afternoon – putting in a sensational display and causing Portugal defender Nelson Semedo a constant headache.

Germany legend Lothar Matthaus was full of praise for the 22-year-old.

He said: “I compare him to Zinedine Zidane in terms of skills, technique and overview and anticipating a situation.”

Super Sallai

Hungary frontman Roland Sallai has announced himself as one of the breakout stars of the European Championship.

The Freiburg forward was something of an unknown coming into the tournament, playing in a front two alongside the more experienced Adam Szalai.

After his marker Benjamin Pavard picked up a booking within the first 10 minutes against France, Sallai pounced on the opportunity and tormented the Frenchman all afternoon with his mazy runs and off the ball movement.

Sallai won the most ground attacking duels (11) of any player involved that afternoon, and will surely be licking his lips at the prospect of facing an ageing German defence tonight.

Three at the back

The meeting between these teams will see two three-man defences go head-to-head.

Low’s persistence with a back three has drawn plenty of criticism in the German press, but the recent win against Portugal will surely have silenced most of his critics – in the short-term at least.

One of the core reasons that Low uses this system is to enable Robin Gosens to fit in the side. The Atalanta wing-back enjoyed his most successful season to date in 2020-21, scoring 11 goals and contributing eight assists in all competitions.

Utilising a back three allows Gosens to truly flourish in his natural position.

Midfield battle

Coming up against this tough-tackling Hungarian midfield is a daunting feat for any side.

The trio of Laszlo Kleinheisler, Andras Schafer and Adam Nagy allowed France’s central players very little time and space on Saturday.

Kleinheisler in particular had the game of his life. Now the NK Osijek midfielder will relish a potential midfield battle with Leon Goretzka, who may well have to fill in for the injured Thomas Muller.

That contest could play a big part in determining which of these teams emerge from tonight’s clash with all three points.