Joachim Low warned England that the Germany team they will face next Tuesday at Wembley will be a different proposition to the team that sneaked through Group F after drawing 2-2 with Hungary in Budapest.
Die Mannschaft needed to avoid defeat to qualify, but they were sweating after going behind to Adam Szalai’s stooping header on 11 minutes.
Kai Havertz scrambled home the equaliser midway through the second period before Andras Schafer hit back to put the underdogs back in front.
However, Leon Goretzka lashed home late on at the Puskas Arena to save Germany’s blushes and knock the Magyars out.
‘We made mistakes but we fought, showed character,’ said Low.
‘It was not for the faint-hearted. At the end to come through this group was good and that was the aim.
‘What matters is that we are through. Now we play with England and we can look forward to that match.
‘It is an absolute highlight to play at Wembley against England. We will be a different team than tonight, I can promise you that.
‘All the “small” teams invest so much work and defend well. Hungary played with ten men in their own half and they had nothing to lose. It’s great that we got through in this tough group. Now we can look forward to a match against England.
‘We showed great morale. It was good to see that we fought hard until we got the equaliser. It was a nervy match. We knew Hungary would give it their all. I am just happy we got through in this group.’
Goalscorer Goretzka said: ‘After we made it 1-1, it was a huge mistake by us to concede again straight afterwards.
‘We should never allow this to happen if you want to achieve something at this tournament. But we do not doubt ourselves, we have huge confidence.’
Low will step down at the end of this tournament having been in charge of the national team since 2004. He will be replaced by Bayern Munich head coach Hansi Flick.
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