A typical Germany

Retiring Germany midfielder Toni Kroos is not feeling nostalgic ahead of their Euro 2024 quarter-final against Spain that would be his last match as a player if they lose.

Kroos, who won the Champions League with Real Madrid last month and will hang up his boots after the Euros, came out of international retirement this year to chase the one major trophy missing from a vast haul that also includes the 2014 World Cup.

"It is the second most important title you can win and it would have a huge importance for me," the 34-year-old said on Wednesday. "If I did not see having the chance to do it with the team I would not have done it (come back).

"It would be a sensational end but I have also considered the possibility of it not happening. I am not nostalgic at all and did not bring any treats for you (journalists) either," he told a press conference when asked about a possible defeat on Friday spelling the end of his playing career.

"I do not expect tomorrow to be my last game so I assume we will see each other again."

Germany are eyeing their first major title in 10 years after a string of poor tournament displays in recent years, including consecutive World Cup first round exits in 2018 and 2022.

"There were big doubts about the tournament before it started. That's normal after the previous tournaments we had. So we've now reached a minimal goal and whatever the result we won't be speaking about a tournament catastrophe here," said Kroos.

He added the team wanted to make the last eight to avoid another early exit and embarrassment, especially on home soil.

"But anything that comes now is not a bonus. We, as a team, have the goal to win the tournament. So it is not a bonus but we are at a stage in the tournament we wanted to reach.

"We should be satisfied but the demand within the team is to progress further and we are convinced we can do it."

Germany have not managed to beat Spain at a tournament since the 1988 Euros and Spain's Joselu, a teammate of Kroos at Real Madrid, said he wanted to send the midfielder into retirement.

"Because we will win? Is that a good enough answer," he said when asked why Joselu's wish may not materialise.

"We have a lot to offer against it and we have good chances. The Spaniards play good football, we have to give them that, and so do we," Kroos said.

"You can expect a relatively interesting game. It will not be boring, that's my own feeling. I will do everything so his (Joselu's) wish is not fulfilled."

Germany captain Ilkay Gundogan lauded forward Jamal Musiala after Wednesday's 2-0 win over Hungary, calling him "incredible" and "a joy to play with".

Musiala turned in an assist from Gundogan to open the scoring in the first half and then played a key role in creating a match-sealing goal for his captain in the second.

The 21-year-old also scored a goal and was named man of the match in Germany's 5-1 tournament-opening win against Scotland on Friday.

Speaking Wednesday, Gundogan lavished praise on Musiala, who was playing in his city of birth in German colours for just the second time.

"For me he's incredible. It's such a joy to play with him. He's someone who can do the unexpected in every single situation and is such a difference-maker for our team.

"He is maybe the most important one at the moment for us and at such a young age as well, especially when it comes to creating, putting in the final pass and scoring goals which is something he's added to his game as well."

Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann also praised the young attacker, while revealing how he has guided Musiala through his young career.

Nagelsmann coached Musiala at club side Bayern Munich, before taking over as Germany boss last September.

"I have had a lot of meetings with Jamal at Bayern and now," the coach said, revealing his advice to the young attacker.

"He just should play like he's on any small pitch, anywhere, everywhere in Germany or England.

"He should think about playing with his friends and not think about the pressure. He did a brilliant job today as he did against the Scottish."

Retiring Germany midfielder Toni Kroos said he was optimistic for the team's future despite their "bitter" Euro 2024 exit after a 2-1 quarterfinal loss to Spain in extra time on Friday.

Kroos came out of international retirement for one last dance with Germany at the Euros, playing a crucial role as the home side impressed after almost a decade of poor performances at major tournaments.

He had previously announced he would retire from all football after the tournament.

After a goalless first half, Spain took the lead when Dani Olmo swept in a pass from 16-year-old winger Lamine Yamal.

Germany hit back in the 89th minute when Florian Wirtz equalised, sending the game to extra time.

Germany had a penalty appeal for handball turned down before Spain's Mikel Merino headed in the winner in the 119th minute.

"We threw everything in, to lose when we were so close, is bitter," Kroos told ARD.

"The elimination is the main focus right now (rather than his retirement), because the goal that we had we were unable to achieve and the dream we had is over.

"We played a good tournament but when you're so close, to be eliminated like that, it's bitter."

The 34-year-old insisted the future was bright for German football and said the side had brought optimism back to the fans and supporters.

"We can all be proud because of what we did. I was happy to help out, I think we gave German football hope again and we got better as we went along.

"I think the team will do it in future, but today we're extremely sad because we would have liked to stay a little longer."

Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann, who was instrumental in convincing Kroos to come out of international retirement in time for the Euros, praised the departing veteran.

"It's impossible to over-appreciate Toni's career. He's been a unique player for Germany. He's one of Germany's biggest players," said the 36-year-old.

Nagelsmann said Kroos spoke to the players in the dressing room after the loss, saying "he will always see himself as part of this group".

"Everyone knows about his successes but not everyone knows his character. He spoke to the team in what was a very difficult moment for him personally."

Cristiano Ronaldo had the most attempts on target and hosts Germany made best use of their chances in the first round of pool matches at the European Championship, while a forward from Romania has been the quickest across the grass so far.

Ronaldo did not get on the scoresheet from his three shots on target in Portugal's 2-1 victory over Czech Republic on Tuesday and is one of four players to have five attempts at goal in total along with France's Marcus Thuram, Georgia's Georges Mikautadze and Christian Eriksen of Denmark.

It has been a tournament for early – and late - goals so far, with six of the 34 netted inside the opening 15 minutes, and 14 in the first half-hour. There have been four goals scored past the 90-minute mark already.

With a healthy average of 2.84 goals per game, or one every 32 minutes, only five of the 24 teams failed to find the back of the net in their opening fixtures.

Albania's Nedim Bajrami scored the fastest goal in Euros history after 23 seconds against Italy, though his side ended up losing 2-1.

Portugal lead the possession numbers with 69 per cent, while hosts Germany were similarly dominant with 68 per cent as they thumped Scotland 5-1.

The Germans have the best passing accuracy with 94 per cent, led by their 21-year-old attacking midfielder Jamal Musiala, who completed 100 per cent of his 33 passes to teammates.

Serbia put in the joint most number of tackles with 20 in their 1-0 loss to England, a figure matched by Turkey in their rip-roaring 3-1 victory over Georgia.

Germany's players come out to warm up ahead of the UEFA Euro 2024 Group A football match between Germany and Scotland at the Munich Football Arena in Munich on June 14, 2024. Photo: AFP

Two players managed two assists in the first round of games, Romania forward Dennis Man as they beat Ukraine 3-0 and, perhaps more surprising, Netherlands defender Nathan Ake in the 2-1 victory over Poland.

Turkey had the most shots at goal as a team with 22, one more than the Netherlands, and also had the highest expected goals (xG) - a measure of how promising their chances were - with 2.62.

The most efficient side was Germany, who netted five times from an xG of 2.04, and the most wasteful Croatia as they were held scoreless by Spain in their 3-0 loss despite an xG of 2.27.

Czech goalkeeper Jindrich Stanek was the busiest between the posts, making seven saves, one more than the Netherlands' Bart Verbruggen.

There were four players who clocked running at over 35 kilometres per hour, headed by Romania forward Valentin Mihaila (35.9km/h).

Belgium's Jeremy Doku (35.3), Rasmus Hojlund (35.3) from Denmark and France captain Kylian Mbappe (35.2) were the others.

No player covered more grass than Serbia midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, who ran 13.9 kilometres against England.

Jamal Musiala scored once and set up three more goals as Germany crushed visitors Hungary 5-0 on Saturday in a winning start to the Nations League competition.

New-look Germany, who have set their sights on the 2026 World Cup after their quarter-final run at the Euro on home soil in July, no longer have any 2014 World Cup winners in the squad following the international retirements of Thomas Mueller, Toni Kroos and Manuel Neuer.

Former captain Ilkay Gundogan also ended his international career.

They took the lead in their Group A3 encounter with Niclas Fuellkrug's tap-in from midfielder Musiala assist following a good passing combination in the 27th minute.

Germany, who play Netherlands on Tuesday and also face Bosnia in their group, should have added at least one more goal with Kai Havertz hitting the crossbar with a header in the 33rd and then firing narrowly wide in first half stoppage time.

With Hungary pushing for an equaliser, Musiala struck on the break in the 58th, completing a quick counter-attack from a visitors' corner.

Florian Wirtz then drilled in their third after a one-two with Musiala in the 66th before Havertz hit the woodwork once more.

Man-of-the-match Musiala then sent through Aleksandar Pavlovic in the 77th to slot in.

"It is fun to watch that today," said scorer Fuellkrug. "Jamal was in really good form. It is great to have him in the squad.

"We made a lot of deep runs and made it really hard for the opponents. Even when we did not have possession we controlled the game," he said.

Havertz still had time to get onto the scoresheet himself with an 81st minute penalty.