Jamal Musiala's Euro 2020 cameo hints at fantastic future

While not as disastrous as the 2018 World Cup, Euro 2020 was still very disappointing for Germany. Their inconsistent campaign came to a premature conclusion at the round of 16 stage, falling to a 2-0 defeat to England at Wembley.

And with disappointing major tournaments comes disappointment in the players that represented your country.

In Jamal Musiala's case, we weren't given a proper viewing of the thrilling and trailblazing youngster that Bayern Munich fans rate so highly - but that was through no fault of his own.

The 18-year old missed out on Germany's first two matches through injury and was subsequently given just nine minutes of air time in Die Mannschaft's last two fixtures. Despite his limited minutes, however, he showed us just what he's about.

His first appearance of the tournament came in his nation's final Group F match against Hungary. With his side trailing 2-1 and on the brink of bowing out of the tournament at the group stage, Joachim Low decided to throw Musiala into the mix with eight minutes remaining - not much time to help rescue your country from embarrassment.

However, Musiala was ready, looking sharp and creative. Can you guess what happened next?

Yep, that's right.

Just two minutes after his entry into the field of play, Germany snatched a goal to make it 2-2 and secure a place in the knockout stages of Euro 2020 - and Musiala was instrumental.

Showing great movement in the final third, the 18-year was floating around and finding space from which he could affect proceedings. Eventually, the Bayern man found himself in possession on the left wing before feinting past Loic Nego's challenge with ease, cutting back onto his right foot and fizzing a low cross into the Hungary penalty area.

The resulting ricochets led the ball to Leon Goretzka, whose thumping strike bulged the back of the net to steal a point and take Germany to the last 16.

A titanic clash with England would ensue, in which Germany were simply bested by Gareth Southgate's men. It was 2-0 after Harry Kane's header in the 86th minute, and by the 89th - when Musiala was brought on - the tie was over.

One minute to rescue your country from a 2-0 deficit at Wembley at 18 years old? Yeah, that's a bit much to expect.

We didn't see the fearlessly slaloming, mesmerisingly tricky, and joyously creative Musiala that we've seen at the Allianz Arena throughout the past year or so. Of course we didn't; he got nine minutes of game time.

But even so, in those nine minutes of European Championship football the 18-year old demonstrated what he's capable of. As soon as he gets on the ball, he makes things happen. On this occasion, his impact saved Germany from an embarrassment equal to that of 2018 - not a bad nine minutes' work.

Low may have underused him over the course of the two fixtures he was available for, but you can be sure that under ex-Bayern Munich boss Hansi Flick, Musiala will be getting plenty of opportunities in a German shirt to further prove why he was included in Our 21.