A late Leon Goretzka goal salvaged a 2-2 draw for Germany against Hungary on Wednesday night, in a contest that set the Germans up for a June 29 last-16 match against England at Wembley.
The Germans were teetering on the brink of another shock tournament exit after Adam Szalai's diving header in the 11th minute put Hungary in front.
Kai Havertz eventually drew Germany level in the 66th minute, only for Hungary to retake the lead seconds after the restart as Andras Schaefer ran on to a pass and headed in.
Goretzka bagged the crucial equaliser in the 84th minute to send Germany through in second place behind France in Group F on four points.
"We made mistakes but we fought, showed character," said Germany coach Joachim Loew.
"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."
The run-up to the game was overshadowed by Uefa's refusal to allow the stadium to be lit in rainbow colours to oppose a Hungarian anti-LGBTQ law, and a protester waving a rainbow flag invaded the pitch before kick-off.
But it was all business for the hosts once the whistle was blown, as they were desperate to avoid a repeat of their 2018 World Cup debacle, with Joshua Kimmich testing keeper Peter Gulacsi after three minutes.
But it was the Hungarians who stunned the home crowd with Szalai's diving header.
The Germans had close to 70 per cent possession in the first half and Mats Hummels hit the crossbar with a powerful header.
But other than that they showed little of the attacking spark they demonstrated in their 4-2 win over Portugal.
Germany, who had never gone out at the group stage of consecutive major tournaments, showed nerves as their game gradually became more and more scrappy.
It was also a scrappy goal that brought them level, with Gulacsi failing to connect with a Kimmich free kick, Hummels heading the ball on and Havertz nodding in.
But as the German fans celebrated in the stands, Hungary scored straight after the restart, with Szalai lofting the ball into the German half and Schaefer lunging forward and heading it past keeper Manuel Neuer.
With Hungary defending desperately to protect their spot in the knock-out stages, Toni Kroos tried his luck from a tight angle but his effort flashed wide.
The German pressure finally paid off in the 84th when substitute Jamal Musiala cut the ball in the box and fellow substitute Goretzka drilled it home.
For Hungary, it was a bitter end to the tournament.
"It is difficult to find words," Gulacsi said. "We played a good game. Germany dominated but we scored two goals.
"We were unlucky. This is very bitter."
The five pillars of Islam
THE SPECS
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Transmission: seven-speed dual clutch
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Torque: 770Nm
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Top Speed: 340km/h
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What is blockchain?
Blockchain is a form of distributed ledger technology, a digital system in which data is recorded across multiple places at the same time. Unlike traditional databases, DLTs have no central administrator or centralised data storage. They are transparent because the data is visible and, because they are automatically replicated and impossible to be tampered with, they are secure.
The main difference between blockchain and other forms of DLT is the way data is stored as ‘blocks’ – new transactions are added to the existing ‘chain’ of past transactions, hence the name ‘blockchain’. It is impossible to delete or modify information on the chain due to the replication of blocks across various locations.
Blockchain is mostly associated with cryptocurrency Bitcoin. Due to the inability to tamper with transactions, advocates say this makes the currency more secure and safer than traditional systems. It is maintained by a network of people referred to as ‘miners’, who receive rewards for solving complex mathematical equations that enable transactions to go through.
However, one of the major problems that has come to light has been the presence of illicit material buried in the Bitcoin blockchain, linking it to the dark web.
Other blockchain platforms can offer things like smart contracts, which are automatically implemented when specific conditions from all interested parties are reached, cutting the time involved and the risk of mistakes. Another use could be storing medical records, as patients can be confident their information cannot be changed. The technology can also be used in supply chains, voting and has the potential to used for storing property records.
A cheaper choice
Vanuatu: $130,000
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Cost: A minimum investment of $130,000 for a family of up to four, plus $25,000 in fees.
Criteria: Applicants must have a minimum net worth of $250,000. The process take six to eight weeks, after which the investor must travel to Vanuatu or Hong Kong to take the oath of allegiance. Citizenship and passport are normally provided on the same day.
Benefits: No tax, no restrictions on dual citizenship, no requirement to visit or reside to retain a passport. Visa-free access to 129 countries.
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
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Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
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Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
On racial profiling at airports
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Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The specs
Engine: 5.2-litre V10
Power: 640hp at 8,000rpm
Torque: 565Nm at 6,500rpm
Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch auto
Price: From Dh1 million
On sale: Q3 or Q4 2022
