Liverpool star Dominik Szoboszlai pulls off 99th-minute Panenka penalty to rescue a point for Hungary in Nations League clash with Germany
- Dominik Szoboszlai scored a final Panenka penalty against Germany
- Germany still finished top of their Nations League group, with Hungary in third place
- LISTEN NOW: It all starts!available wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes every Monday and Thursday
Dominik Szoboszlai proved he has ice in his veins by scoring a Panenka penalty in the 99th minute to earn Hungary a 1-1 draw against Germany on Tuesday evening.
Hungary appeared to be heading for a narrow defeat in Budapest when Felix Nmecha put Germany ahead with fourteen minutes to go.
But deep into stoppage time the home side were awarded a penalty and Liverpool’s Szoboszlai took responsibility from the spot.
German goalkeeper Alexander Nubel dived to the right, but Szoboszlai kept his cool and drilled the ball straight through the center of the goal.
It was a perfectly executed Panenka, named after Antonin Panenka who famously pulled it off for Czechoslovakia against West Germany and won the European Championship final for his country in 1976.
The final whistle blew almost immediately after Szoboszlai’s successful penalty, with Hungary and Germany each having to settle for a point.
Dominik Szoboszlai scored a Panenka penalty deep into stoppage time to give Hungary a draw against Germany
The Liverpool midfielder blew a kiss to the crowd after his magical moment saved Hungary
The result confirmed Germany took top spot in their Nations League group and progressed to the quarter-finals of the competition.
Hungary finished third in the group below the Netherlands after taking six points from as many games.
Bosnia and Herzegovina finished bottom of the group and were relegated, despite the Netherlands drawing 1–1 in the final match.
Szoboszlai will now return to England to rejoin Liverpool as Arne Slot’s men look to hold on to top spot in the Premier League.
The Hungarian midfielder has not been an automatic starter in recent weeks due to the strong form of Curtis Jones, who also enjoyed a fine international breakthrough when he scored for England on his debut in a 3-0 win over Greece last week.
Still, Szoboszlai looked back to his best against Germany, creating more chances (7) than any other player on the pitch, and will hope to return to Liverpool’s starting XI when they face Southampton on Sunday.