BREAKING NEWS: Draws for Scotland and Croatia; hosts Germany to the final 16 of the 2024 European Cup

Those in charge On Wednesday, Germany defeated Hungary 2-0 to become the first side to advance to the Euro 2024 knockout stage. Scotland drew with Switzerland, while Croatia’s chances of advancing were left in jeopardy as they were held by Albania.

Germany defeated Hungary in Stuttgart, with goals from Jamal Musiala and Ilkay Gundogan either side of halftime, to build on their 5-1 thumping of Scotland in the opening match of the competition.

Even with one game remaining in Group A, Julian Nagelsmann’s club has a maximum six points and will undoubtedly advance to the round of 16 as the section’s runners-up.

Hungary battled, but in the end, the home team had too much quality in the final third. Halfway through the first half, Bayern Munich’s Musiala scored the first goal after captain Gundogan refused to give up in the box.

After that, on minute 67, Gundogan of Barcelona extended Germany’s lead with a goal assisted by Maximilian Mittelstaedt.

Germany has now won its first two games at a World Cup or European Championship for the first time since Euro 2012, suggesting that their previous difficulties are behind them.

Goalie Manuel Neuer stated, “We were determined to win today and confirm our performance against Scotland.” “We deserved to win because we were in control. The excitement in the arena was evident.”

Hungary’s chances of moving forward are now slim to none as group rivals Switzerland and Scotland drew 1-1 in Wednesday’s late encounter in Cologne.

Early on, Callum McGregor cut the ball back for Scott McTominay to score with a shot that went in by a strong touch off Fabian Schaer, giving Scotland the lead in front of a sizable and boisterous crowd.

Xherdan Shaqiri, though, equalized for Switzerland when he pounced on an Anthony Ralston mishandled pass and blasted a fantastic first-time effort high into the net.

Although Breel Embolo had a goal disallowed for offside and Dan Ndoye missed a great opportunity in the second half, Scotland deserved the draw, which keeps their hopes alive.

With Grant Hanley’s late header against the post, they might have even won.

“The players were aware of their responsibilities. According to Scotland manager Steve Clarke, “I thought it was a good team performance against a good opponent.”

“It was a good reaction to a disappointing night and we are still alive in the tournament.”

While Switzerland, who qualified for the 2020 European Championship as quarterfinalists, may already have enough points to advance, a draw with Germany on Sunday would guarantee second place.

Scotland may still make the tournament if they defeat Hungary in Stuttgart. Scotland hasn’t triumphed in a major competition since defeating the Swiss 1-0 at Euro 96.

Elsewhere, in a 2-2 draw with Croatia in Hamburg, Klaus Gjasula of Albania scored goals on both ends, including a thrilling equalizer in injury time.

Following a depressing 3-0 defeat to Spain in their Group B opener, Qazim Laci took Albania an early lead, putting Croatia down once more.

But after the interval, Croatia got better, and with 16 minutes left, Andrej Kramaric tied the score before Gjasula accidentally broke through his own net.

However, the Albanian midfielder proved to be the game’s last-gasp hero, sliding into the bottom corner to give his team a point in the fifth minute of injury time.

Croatia, who finished in the semifinals of the 2022 World Cup, would probably need to defeat Italy in their last Group B encounter on June 24 in order to advance to the tournament’s knockout round for the fifth time in a row.

Forward Kramaric declared, “We will believe to the very end, to give our best as we did in this match.” “Unfortunately we didn’t win but we hope to be a bit luckier against Italy.”

Albania’s performances against Croatia and Italy, which they lost 2-1, have earned them a lot of praise. However, they were unable to maintain a lead in either match, and they will likely need to defeat Spain in order to have a chance to advance to the round of sixteen.

“We need to advance, but we also need to fight for every single point,” Sylvinho, the Brazilian coach of Albania, stated. It’s crucial to the survival of the federation, the nation, and each of us individually. We must savor the occasion because I’m proud of the players.”

The most notable match in the group takes place on Thursday in Gelsenkirchen between Spain and Italy, while England plays Denmark and Slovenia plays Serbia in Group C.

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