Hosts Germany became the first team to qualify for the knockout phase of Euro 2024 thanks to a 2-0 win over Hungary, while Scotland drew with Switzerland and Croatia’s hopes of progressing were left hanging in the balance after they were held by Albania.
Germany followed up their 5-1 demolition of Scotland in the tournament’s opening game by seeing off the Hungarians in Stuttgart, with Jamal Musiala and Ilkay Gundogan scoring either side of half-time.
Julian Nagelsmann’s team have a maximum six points with one game still to come in Group A, and are certain to progress to the last 16 at least as one of the four best third-place finishers.
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Hungary put up a fight but the hosts had too much quality in the final third, with Musiala firing in the opener midway through the first half after captain Gundogan refused to give up a lost cause in the box.
The Hungarians had an equaliser ruled out for offside just before the break, and Germany doubled their lead on 67 minutes as Gundogan swept home an assist by Maximilian Mittelstaedt.
Germany’s recent struggles appear to be a thing of the past, and they have now won their opening two games at a World Cup or European Championship for the first time since Euro 2012.
Hungary coach Marco Rossi criticised the decision to allow Germany’s opening goal.
“I’ve never complained in my career as a player or coach, I’ve never looked for excuses, but what the referee did tonight… the referee used a double standard,” said Rossi.
“The referee allowed a goal on a push on Orban. Second half in a similar situation on (Germany midfielder Robert) Andrich, the referee whistled a foul.”
Rossi also took aim at the video assistant referees for not intervening, with Musiala’s goal allowed to stand after a short VAR check.
“In my perspective Germany would have won anyways, but the referee was the worst on the pitch,” he said.
“I told my players they have nothing to regret. Germany for me is the big favourite to win the Euros but they didn’t need help from the referee to win, especially against a team like Hungary.
“Let’s see when Germany plays a team like France if a foul is given or not.”
Gundogan, who later scored Germany’s second goal, said he was bemused by the reaction of the Hungary players.
The Barcelona midfielder insisted he had done nothing wrong while jostling for the ball with Orban, eventually pulling it back for Musiala to score after the centre-back tumbled to the ground.
“I was quite surprised that he or his Hungary team-mates were a bit angry about it,” said Gundogan.
“I don’t know what it looked like on TV. I played in the Premier League for seven years, if you gave that foul in the Premier League then I think everyone would be laughing on the floor.”
Hungary take on Scotland in their final game in Stuttgart on Sunday knowing victory is imperative if they are to reach the last 16.
“We have a foot out of the Euros, we’re not out of it mathematically,” said Rossi.
“In the final game we’ll try everything to win, we don’t want to exit without getting a single point. I don’t think we deserve to be on zero points at this stage of the competition.”
Hungary’s hopes of progressing now hang by a thread, while group rivals Switzerland and Scotland played out a 1-1 stalemate in Wednesday’s late match in Cologne.
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SWITZERLAND ON VERGE OF LAST 16 AFTER SCOTLAND DRAW
Scotland, backed by a large and noisy support, went ahead early on when Callum McGregor cut the ball back for Scott McTominay to score with a shot that went in via a big touch off Fabian Schaer.
However, Switzerland equalised when Xherdan Shaqiri pounced on a stray pass by Anthony Ralston to smash a superb first-time strike high into the net.
The Swiss saw Dan Ndoye miss a glorious second-half opportunity and Breel Embolo have a goal disallowed for offside, but Scotland deserved the draw which keeps their hopes alive.
They might even have won the game, with Grant Hanley hitting the post from a late header.
“The players knew what they needed to do. I thought it was a good team performance against a good opponent,” said Scotland boss Steve Clarke.
“It was a good reaction to a disappointing night and we are still alive in the tournament.” Switzerland, quarter-finalists at Euro 2020, may already have enough points to progress but a draw against Germany on Sunday will make sure of second place.
Scotland, who have not won a match at a major tournament since beating the Swiss 1-0 at Euro 96, can still qualify with a win over Hungary in Stuttgart.
ALBANIA SCORE LATE TO SALVAGE DRAW WITH CROATIA
Elsewhere, Albania’s Klaus Gjasula scored at both ends, including a dramatic injury-time equaliser as his side drew 2-2 with Croatia in Hamburg.
After a disappointing 3-0 loss to Spain in their opening game in Group B, Croatia were behind again when Qazim Laci gave Albania an early lead.
But Croatia improved after the break and Andrej Kramaric levelled with 16 minutes remaining, before Gjasula put through his own net.
The Albania midfielder became the last-gasp hero, though, slotting into the bottom corner in the fifth minute of injury time to snatch his team a point.
Croatia, World Cup semi-finalists in 2022, will now likely need to win their final Group B match against holders Italy on June 24 to reach the knockout phase for a fifth straight major tournament.
“We will believe until the very end, to give our best as we did in this match,” said forward Kramaric.
“Unfortunately we didn’t win but we hope to be a bit luckier against Italy.”
Albania have won plenty of plaudits with their performances against both Italy, in a 2-1 defeat, and Croatia, but could not hold a lead in either game and will probably have to beat Spain to keep their last-16 hopes alive.
“We have to go forward but we have to fight for every single point,” said Albania’s Brazilian coach, Sylvinho.
“It’s important for our lives, the life of the country, the federation. I’m proud of the players so we have to enjoy the moment.”
Croatia entered this year’s Euros looking to reach the knockout phase for a fifth consecutive major tournament, but despite that were not considered among the leading contenders.
“Being the dark horses, we dont mind about that,” Luka Modric said last week.
“Everyone else being the favourites, us being the dark horses, we’re used to that.”
Group rivals Spain and Italy meet in Gelsenkirchen in the standout tie on Thursday, while England face Denmark and Slovenia take on Serbia in Group C.