Johannesburg – Germany appeared set for a shocking tournament exit at the hands of Hungary with less than 10 minutes remaining in their match on Wednesday night.
They needed at least a draw to progress and trailed 2-1, reports Goal.com
But in the 84th minute, substitute midfielder Leon Goretzka was the first to react to a loose ball in the box and rocketed in the equaliser with the help of a slight deflection.
The 26-year-old was a poetic goal-scorer from the German perspective given his part in the socio-political conflict hanging over the clash at Allianz Arena.
The Bayern Munich star has been a key voice in speaking out against recent Hungarian legislation that would ban schools from disseminating content deemed to promote homosexuality and gender change.
When Manuel Neuer’s rainbow armband supporting the LGBT+ community was initially investigated by UEFA, Goretzka stood up for his team-mate.
“It would be completely absurd if we had to apologise for it because it is absolutely clear what that stands for,” Goretzka said. “We as a football world want to counter racism and homophobia with diversity.”
Goretzka was also upset when UEFA prevented Alianz Arena from being illuminated with rainbow lights for its “political context”.
So, it was no coincidence that Goretzka celebrated his winner by forming a heart shape with his fingers while staring towards Hungary supporters in the crowd.
“Spread Love ????️???? Yes!!!!!!!! Wembley calling!” he wrote on his Twitter account with a photo of his celebration attached.
Spread Love 🏳️🌈 Yes!!!!!!!! Wembley calling! 💪🏻@DFB_Team @euro2020 #gerhun #EURO2020 🇩🇪 pic.twitter.com/XRGUZKVJMx
— Leon Goretzka (@leongoretzka_) June 23, 2021
What now for Germany?
The 2-2 result was enough for Die Mannschaft to progress as the second-best team in Group F while dooming the visitors to an early Euro 2020 exit. They’ll play England in the last 16.
Up next at Euro 2020
Here are all of the match-ups for the last 16:
Wales vs Denmark
Italy vs Austria
Netherlands vs Czech Republic
Belgium vs Portugal
Croatia vs Spain
France vs Switzerland
England vs Germany
Sweden vs Ukraine
Wednesday’s results:
Sweden 3-2 Poland
Slovakia 0-5 Spain
Portugal 2-2 France
Germany 2-2 Hungary
Today’s action:
No matches scheduled (rest day).
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