England were on Wednesday night handed a blockbuster last-16 European Championship tie against Germany after a night of high drama in the tournament's so-called "Group of Death".
Tuesday's showdown is a mouthwatering opportunity for Gareth Southgate's team to overcome tournament heartache in the 55 years since England beat West Germany in 1966 to win the World Cup.
England have played Germany 32 times in official matches, winning 13 games and losing on 15 occasions, drawing four. However, the tie at Wembley immediately sparks memories of the Euro 96 penalty defeat at the same stadium – in which Southgate missed the deciding kick.
On Wednesday night Germany had looked on the brink of being knocked out as Hungary twice took the lead in Munich. Leon Goretzka's late deflected equaliser rescued a 2-2 draw to set up an eagerly-awaited last-16 tie. Portugal, meanwhile, could only draw 2-2 with group winners France.
Reflecting on a Group F night which "was not for the faint-hearted", Low, Germany's head coach since 2006, promised a much-improved performance against England on Tuesday. "What matters is that we are through," he said. "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."
Elsewhere, Sweden's late winner against Poland opened up a potentially inviting path to the final for England if they can beat Germany.
Meanwhile, the majority of tournament form teams and apparent big guns – including Belgium, Italy, Spain and France – go in the other half, and can rule out a potential meeting with England until the final, which takes place on July 11 at Wembley.
Reacting to Wednesday night's drama, Jürgen Klinsmann, who featured in both German squads that beat England on penalties in 1990 and 1996, said the last-16 match at Wembley will be "very, very even" . "I think we're going to see a fascinating game," said. "We do not know what to expect. It will happen – the unexpectable."
England fans in the stands before the match - Reuters
The match is expected to spark the greatest last-minute scramble for Wembley tickets since 1996. With Covid-19 quarantine rules stopping most overseas supporters from travelling, Three Lions fans are expecting a late flurry of availability.
Wembley crowd limits will double from the group stages to 45,000, with 14,400 tickets expected to now be made available for the national associations.
It remains to be seen whether Angela Merkel, the German Chancellor who said this week she hoped Uefa would act “responsibly” over capacities at Wembley for the latter stages, is invited to the match.
Low said later that he is "not really worried" about playing England but his side could ill afford to repeat their mistakes against Hungary at Wembley. He is predicting an "open game" against England.
He added: "It's great news to play in London at Wembley against England. The group stage is over and we have to focus. It's in or out now. It's a good situation. Our performances so far haven't been so good but if we show what we can do, as we did against Portugal for long periods, then we can be a strong opponent and if we don't manage to do that we will get into difficulties."
Appearing as a pundit on the BBC's coverage of the match, Klinnsmann said his nation had been "sloppy" and "slow" against Hungary, but added that England's performance against Scotland will give Germany hope.
"I think that both teams are a bit in a similar situation," he added. "Also if you look through the team, position by position, I think it's very very even. It will be a 50/50 battle. It will be the form of the day."
Tuesday's match will be screened by the BBC rather than ITV. Home ticket allocation will be almost entirely taken up by the England Supporters Travel Club, but Germany face uncertainty over immediately selling out their 7,200 share to away fans living in the UK.
In addition, a total of 22,500 tickets have already been sold via general sale – with the remaining 8,100 being distributed to sponsors, VIPs, media, officials and hospitality.
However, resales among a small percentage of the general allocation are deemed highly likely, and, ahead of an explosion in interest in any availability, online touts are already advertising at tenfold face value.
Jurgen Klinsmann, who featured in both German squads that beat England on penalties in 1990 and 1996, said there will be no favourites going into the "very, very even" match. "I think we're going to see a fascinating game," he said. "We do not know what to expect. It will happen - the unexpectable."
Appearing as a pundit on the BBC's coverage of the match, he said his nation had been "sloppy" and "slow" against Hungary, but added that England's performance against Scotland will give Germany hope.
"I think that both teams are a bit in a similar situation," he added. "Also if you look through the team, position by position, I think it's very very even. It will be a 50/50 battle. It will be the form of the day."
He admitted Germany, who appeared destined to finish bottom of their group until injury time, "were not attentive enough and they were also not physical enough because Hungary gave them a real physical fight". "They were not up for it, and they struggled, but at least they saved themselves, as they often do - in the last minute and got through in the group," he added.
"But we saw a different face against Portugal. Now we saw again a difference of face. With England we have a little bit the same story - with Scotland and the Croatia game. I think we're going to see a fascinating game with England against Germany in this round of 16, where we do not know what to expect. It will happen - the unexpectable."
09:43 PM
Joachim Low speaks
"We made mistakes but we fought, showed character. 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," he said. "It is an absolute highlight to play at Wembley against England. We will be a different team than tonight, I can promise you that."
09:35 PM
The last time England and Germany met in a tournament
Just to jog your memory:
Germany's goalkeeper Manuel Neuer looks at a ball that hit the bar to bounce over the line - AP
Lukas Podolski of Germany celebrates scoring his side's second goal - Getty Images
Thomas Mueller of Germany (up) celebrates scoring with Mesut Oezil - Getty Images
Gareth Southgate admits players can still force their way into England's starting line-up for next week's Euro 2020 last-16 tie against Germany at Wembley.
Southgate promised to watch the conclusion of the so-called group of death with an open mind about his selection, but now will have to plan for a major test against Joachim Low's Germany.
Asked if he knew his ideal starting line-up in the last-16 against the Group F runners-up, Southgate said: "For the last 12 months whenever I've written a team sheet down anything more than two days before a game it's changed, so at the moment, no.
"We'll watch the matches (on Wednesday), we'll see how everybody is once we get back to St George's and through the next couple of days of recovery and we'll go from there.
"I think what's clear is that there are some areas of the team that we've been able to build closer to what we think is full strength as the last sort of four weeks or so has gone on.
"Players have arrived late from European finals or (we've) been unable to get them on the pitch following injury or lacked fitness and I've always felt that we were going to have to grow into this tournament in terms of selection. That's why the squad has been so important."
09:16 PM
Never knowingly undersold this fixture
Little known fact that will be overlooked: Gareth Southgate missed a pen against Germany 25 years ago in the Euros that saw England knocked out at Wembley. Now he is manager of England and they next play Germany in the Euros in a knockout match at Wembley
Speaking about England vs Germany: "It will happen the unexpected in that game."
09:02 PM
Not much history is there?
Apart from the 'Russian Linesman'; Geoff Hurst's hat-trick; Jules Rimet; Peter Bonetti wilting in sweltering Mexico; Paul Gascoigne's tears; Chris Waddle's skied penalty; Gascoigne's agonising miss on the stretch; Gareth Southgate's saved penalty; Keevin Keegan's resignation in a Wembley loo; 5-1 in Munich; Frank Lampard's goal that never was and Gareth Barry being torched by Mesut Ozil in South Africa...no, not much.
08:59 PM
It's official
Fire up the montages! England will play Germany in the last-16 at Wembley next Tuesday.
08:55 PM
FT: Germany 2 Hungary 2
That was a serious escape from Germany! They were not impressive at all, but Joachim Low's reign will go on for at least another match. The scores are level between France and Portugal so it looks like being England vs Germany in the next round. Goretzka the hero, but fair play to Musiala for his part in it. Showed great maturity.
08:53 PM
92 minutes
Germany are almost there, for the first time in the match they are managing this well.
08:51 PM
90 minutes
Germany keeping the ball in the corner through the old heads Kroos and Muller.
What a great contribution from Musiala in the build-up to the goal. He had the courage to play proper football rather than just toss another ball into the box. Germany now have the ball down the right end of the pitch.
08:45 PM
86 minutes
Can Germany hang on? There's already been a scare! Kimmich gets a toe on the ball when Fiola was dribbling into the box, it could have been a penalty had he mistimed it. What a game.
08:45 PM
GOOOAAALLL! Goretzka has scored the qualiser
Low made a couple of changes and they quickly paid dividends. The youngster Jamal Musiala, seconds after coming on, kept his head in the box and picked a pass to Werner. The first shot was blocked but there was Goretzka to drive home a deflected shot. What a HUGE goal. England vs German on the cards again .
08:41 PM
81 minutes
That was Germany's best piece of football and so close to a brilliant equaliser! Kroos driving into the box and exchanged a quick one-two, but his volley with the outside of the right foot fades wide. Much better though.
08:39 PM
80 minutes
Muller cranes his neck at the back post but the angle was against him and the header loops onto the roof of the net. Germany have been far too reliant on lumping balls into the box tonight.
08:38 PM
78 minutes
Kross clips a ball into the box looking for the run of Goretzka but the ball skips through to Gulasci. Germany working the ball from side to side but Hungary look comfortable, as they have done most of the night.
08:36 PM
76 minutes
Germany will dominate possession from here on in, but can they carve out a clear-cut chance? Their football has been really stodgy and basic so far, a far cry from the Portugal game.
Sane the latest player to lose patience and hammer a pass through for a goal kick. Szalai then tries a ridiculous shot from 40 yards which rolls along the ground. What more does this game have in store?!
08:31 PM
72 minutes
Goretzka almost makes contact with a header in the six-yard box but no cigar! Germany are back to where they were 10 minutes ago: needing at least one goal!
08:30 PM
70 minutes
What a crazy 60 seconds of football. It was good play from the striker Szalai again to spot what was on but that is amateurish defending from Germany. Muller and Timo Werner have been thrown on.
08:29 PM
GOOOOAALLL! Hungary are back in front
Oh that is dreadful from Germany, straight from kick off Hungary go up the other end and score! Szalai wins a second ball and dinks a ball over the top for substitute Schaffer, who ran through and got his head there before Neuer and the ball rolled into the net.
08:27 PM
GOOOOAAAALL! Havertz has turned home an equaliser
The route one football has worked! Kroos launches another ball into the box, Gulasci does a superman impression and misses his punch allowing Hummels to win the first header and there was Havertz on the line to turn it home.
08:25 PM
65 minutes
Hungary are gobbling up all these diagonals and crosses being pumped into the box. Fiola is booked for a foul on Ginter. Kroos is going to send another one into the mixer...
08:24 PM
64 minutes
Portugal have scored an equaliser, another Ronaldo penalty! Germany are now heading out. But have around half an hour to score the goal they need. Muller warming up.
08:21 PM
62 minutes
Well that was a close shave for Germany and Sane. Fiola was about to break into the box but Sane, tracking back, pulled the ball back with his hand as he fell to ground. Gets a booking but was that not deliberate handball? Free-kick in a great position for Hungary.
That was close! Sallai smacks the outside of the near post but Neuer may have had it covered.
08:19 PM
59 minutes
The delivery from Kleinheiser was terrific but Neuer did well to punch clear. Goretzka is now on in the place of Gundogan in midfield. Sane now holding his width far more on the right. Kimmich picks out Havertz with a fine diagonal from a central area but his touch got away from him. Corner Germany though, but Sane hammers it out of play fro a throw on the other side.
08:17 PM
57 minutes
Germany about to make a change: Goretzka is about to come on. Hungary play out from the back well and have a throw in Germany's half.
And now they have a free-kick near the corner flag after a foul by Ginter on big Adam Szalai.
08:15 PM
54 minutes
Sane gets a whack in the face from Fiola. Ruidger swivels on a shot which is blocked but play stops after a clash of heads between Schafer and Gundogan. Germany, as it stands, would go through in third at the expense of Portugal.
08:13 PM
52 minutes
Safe hands from Gulacsi after a Sane shot from a tight angle, but was very speculative. Another Kroos free-kick looks for Hummels but Botka does well to win his header. All very agricultural from Germany so far, none of the slick interplay we expect.
As things stand, England play Hungary! A chance for revenge after the humiliation of 1953.
08:09 PM
49 minutes
More stout Hungary defending and they show good composure to keep the ball and earn themselves a breather. Germany look very short of impetus and ideas just now. Hungary have a throw deep in the Germany half after Nego chases a ball down the right.
08:07 PM
47 minutes
Gnabry gets isolated against Fiola down the German right but the defender does really well to block the cross. The Gosens takes the ball of Kroos' toe when he was about to strike from distance.
08:05 PM
We're back under way!
Germany need to find much more precision in the second half.
08:04 PM
The players are back out
Germany have 45 minutes to save themselves at Euro 2020.
Germany are going out as things stand. It has not been a very impressive half from them. Lacking patience in attack, too quick to resort to lumping crosses into the box from deep. Hungary scored a tremendous header from Szalai. They have had three other decent counters too.
07:46 PM
45 minutes
Havertz got two bites of the cherry after his first shot was blocked but he scuffed his second effort horribly.
TWO MINUTES ADDED TIME!
07:44 PM
43 minutes
Ginter is actually taking up right wing-back positions at the moment for Germany and Kimmich is standing in the centre-forward role in the box when the ball is wide. Lots of possession, but not much threat from Germany.
07:42 PM
41 minutes
Botka is down after a firm challenge from Rudiger, but I don't think the defender did much wrong. Just a case of Botka slipping on the wet turf and turning his ankle.
07:40 PM
39 minutes
Good feet from Salli to skip inside Kimmich and shoot at Neuer from long range. Worth a try in conditions this foul. He caught Havertz on the follow through but the Chelsea man will be alright to carry on.
07:38 PM
37 minutes
Another Germany attack breaks down after Kroos slips and Germany are scrambling back to stop another counter. This time it is Schafer who shoots over from distance. Probably better off keeping things ticking there.
07:36 PM
35 minutes
The rain is now lashing down in Munich. All of the fans in the lower tier are retreating up the steps towards the concourse where they will be under cover! Hungary's fans are still stood and clapping though.
07:35 PM
33 minutes
Hummels with a long ball forward to nobody. Germany need to stay patient here, they are playing too many forced long passes forward.
Hungary are now away down their left after great hold up play from Szalai, but Rudiger heads Fiola's cross away.
Moments later, Germany are wide open again but Hungary's final ball went astray. Their openness in transition is an achilles heel under Low.
07:32 PM
31 minutes
No breakthrough for Germany, but Portugal have taken the lead against France thanks to a Ronaldo penalty. Follow all the action in that game with Rob Bagchi here. That goal means France are now second and facing England, as things stand.
07:30 PM
29 minutes
Bad news for Hungary. Botka has been booked which means he would miss their last-16 tie should they qualify. Long way to got yet, though. Havertz sends another diagonal into the box, headed clear. Gundogan gives the ball away on the edge of the final third and he brings down Kleinheisler at the expense of a yellow.
07:28 PM
27 minutes
Another foul on Kimmich close to the touchline from Fiola. Ginter seeing a lot of the ball as the spare man when Germany are camped in Hungary's half. Kross is going to send another ball into the box. Hummels' header at the back post never threatened and looped onto the roof of the net.
07:25 PM
24 minutes
At least Germany have carved out a couple of decent chances since falling behind, that bodes well for them. Hungary have also faded and conceded all of their goals in the second-half of matches so far this tournament. Kimmich with another cross that is just too high for Havertz. It is raining crosses!
07:22 PM
21 minutes
Havertz wins Germany's first corner of the night. Kimmich with good delivery and Hummels smacks a header off the cross bar! Great leap from the big defender and so close to the equaliser.
Germany sustain the pressure and the ball comes back into the box. It dropped for Ginter on the half-volley but his stab at goal was straight at Gulasci.
Almost the ideal response from Germany as Kimmich feeds a dangerous ball across the six-yard box from the right but no player was there to connect. Hungary are doing a good job of letting Germany's defenders have the ball in front of them.
07:16 PM
16 minutes
Kimmich with a hopeful cross that was far too deep. No need for Germany to resort to lumping the ball in like that just yet, that's what Hungary want them to do. Germany are dominating possession but Hungary are well prepared for that. Havertz penalised for handball.
07:14 PM
13 minutes
It was a wonderful ball into the box from Sallai, and that is precisely the kind of service Szalai wants. Still early days of course, but as things stand Hungary are third and Germany bottom of the group.
07:12 PM
GOOOOOOAAALL! Szalai scores the opening goal
Hungary have taken a shock lead and the big Mainz striker has given it to them. Magnificent cross clipped into the box and there was Adam Szalai in between Ruidger and Hummels to nod into the bottom corner. No chance for Neuer.
07:10 PM
10 minutes
Rudiger getting super tight to his opposite man and following him into midfield, something he loves to do for Chelsea. This time he concedes a foul. Germany regain possession though and mount another attack. Hungary sitting very deep in a 5-3-2 as expected. Ginter loses patience and lumps a poor long ball forward.
07:08 PM
8 minutes
Kimmich so good on the ball in tight spaces. This time he draws a foul close to the touchline. Chance for the home team to deliver the ball into the box...but Kroos' ball skipped up on Rudiger at the back post and he could only help it wide.
07:06 PM
6 minutes
That was threatening from Hungary. Attila Szalai with a nice pass chipped beyond the German defence in the direction of Sallai, but Hummel's stuck out a leg to toe it through to Neuer.
07:05 PM
The pre-match protest
Pitch invader as players line up during the national anthems before the match - Reuters
07:04 PM
4 minutes
Hummels gets across the usher the ball out for a throw under pressure from Sallai, who has been one of Hungary's better performers.
Germany create their first decent chance of the game! Kimmich found with a brilliant ball over the top but Gulasci sticks out a strong right hand to save his shot from a tight angle.
07:02 PM
2 minutes
Both teams are playing a back three on paper, but chances are Hungary will find themselves in a five more often than not. Sane looks to be playing left of Havertz with Gnabry inside right. The former Arsenal man with an early dart forward but his through ball skips through for a goal kick.
07:00 PM
KICK OFF!
It is Germany who gets us under way.
06:59 PM
One spectator ran onto the field during the Hungary anthem
Carrying a rainbow flag. Escorted off the pitch by stewards but applauded by the Germany fans in Munich.
06:57 PM
Rain pouring down in Munich
Not a bad thing for a team who want to pass at speed like Germany.
A game which will have consequences for Germany and of course England.
06:12 PM
Leroy Sane back in tonight
Serge Gnabry has been playing through the middle, but Havertz could just as easily take up that role and be flanked by the two wingers. Sane is better from the left but has not had a particularly productive season with Bayern Munich.
06:06 PM
Sweden winners already tonight
That #SWE winner could be massive for #ENG - but only if they win their last-16 game at Wembley. Means they would avoid a major European power in their only game away from home.
Thomas Mueller of Germany reacts as he arrives at the stadium prior to the UEFA Euro 2020 Championship Group F match between Germany and Hungary - Getty Images
05:39 PM
More context...
EU leaders and Hungary traded barbs over Budapest's anti-LGBTQ law on Wednesday as Germany staged a defiant display of rainbows following Uefa's refusal to light Munich's Euro 2020 stadium in rainbow colours.
EU chief Ursula von der Leyen slammed as a disgrace the law passed by Viktor Orban's government banning the "promotion" of homosexuality to minors, while Germany's foreign minister said UEFA's decision sent the "wrong signal".
Hungary immediately hit back, calling von der Leyen's statements "a shame".
With Germany due to play Hungary in a key match on Wednesday at the Allianz Arena in Munich, city authorities had planned to light the stadium up in rainbow colours to "send a visible sign of solidarity" with Hungary's LGBTQ community.
05:14 PM
Hungary fans with a banner
Translates as: "God is with you, Viktor". Aimed at the nation's president Viktor Orban.
Hungary's supporters are seen at Wienerplatz as they hold a banner reading "God is with you Viktor", - AFP
05:12 PM
Spontaneous display of support for the LGBT community outside the ground
Uefa have come in for fierce criticism after ruling that the Allianz Arena could not be illuminated in the rainbow colours after a request from the Hungarian FA.
Hungary's parliament recently passed a law forbidding the sharing of information that 'promotes' homosexuality to under-18s. In reality, this bans gay people from featuring in school educational materials or TV shows aimed at children.
It looks like German fans have taken matters into their own hands though and expressed solidarity regardless:
A steward holds rainbow flags outside the stadium - Reuters
Fans hold rainbow flags outside the stadium before the matc - Reuters
04:59 PM
Germany in a strong position after all the criticism
Crisis? What crisis? Germany entered this tournament with an uncharacteristic lack of self-confidence but now have a presentable chance of progressing to the last-16 as group winners.
They face Hungary on home soil in Munich at the same time as France play Portugal, knowing a victory will guarantee them qualification. If Germany win and France fail to do so, they will top the group. Remember, the team which finishes runner-up in this group will face England at Wembley next Tuesday. The group winners will face one of the third-placed teams.
Critics of Joachim Low's team were imploring him to ditch the 3-4-3 system he favours, but it paid dividends in the 4-2 win over Portugal. Germany's wing-backs, Joshua Kimmich on the right and Robin Gosens on the left, got plenty of joy down the flanks and their end product was more precise than in the opening defeat against France. Leon Goretzka's return adds muscle in midfield and should protect Germany against counter-attacks a little more, which has been a long-running vulnerability.
Germany have been boosted by both Mats Hummels and Ilkay Gundogan returning to training after the pair picked up knocks but Thomas Muller is a serious doubt after sustaining a knee injury in the same game, and Lukas Klostermann is likely to remain unavailable. Muller's absence could give a chance to Timo Werner or even Leroy Sane.
"We were all happy with the way we beat Portugal but there was also an analysis we can improve some things. The team is focused and concentrated and knows that we have taken just one step," Low said.
"The game against Hungary will not be as open as against Portugal. We know our opponents. They are well schooled in defending. There won't be as many opportunities in the box. We need to wear them out first."
Hungary delivered a stirring performance at home to France with a packed stadium in Budapest behind them, but the odds are still stacked against them tonight. Germany might need to be patient, though.
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