Germany secured their spot in the knockout stages of Euro 2024 with a convincing 2-0 victory over Hungary at the Stuttgart Arena on Wednesday, June 19.
Germany storm into EURO 2024's Last 16
This win makes them the first team to qualify for the Round of 16 in the tournament. Musiala initiated the scoring in the 22nd minute, amidst fervent protests from Hungary. Ilkay Gündogan, who assisted Musiala's goal, later added his own name to the scoresheet in the second half. The 21-year-old Musiala had previously scored in Germany's 5-1 opening win against Scotland on Friday. Following their 3-1 loss to Switzerland on Saturday, Hungary now faces a difficult path to progress. In their final Group A game on Sunday, Hungary will face Scotland, while Julian Nagelsmann's German squad will play against Switzerland. Germany has already secured a spot in the next round, at least as one of the best third-placed teams, and could clinch a top-two spot if Scotland fails to defeat Switzerland later on Wednesday. Previously unbeaten in their last three encounters with Germany, including a win in their most recent meeting, Hungary gave the hosts a tough challenge in Stuttgart.
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Marco Rossi’s team started aggressively, nearly scoring within the first 20 seconds, but German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer quickly thwarted Roland Sallai’s attempt. On the other end, Hungarian goalkeeper Péter Gulácsi made an outstanding save to deny Kai Havertz.
The atmosphere intensified every time Musiala touched the ball, and he scored in a chaotic sequence. Attempting to pass to Gündogan, Musiala watched as Hungarian defender Willi Orbán intercepted but stumbled after an alleged shove by Gündogan. As Gulácsi moved to assist, Gündogan redirected the ball to Musiala, who struck it home with the goalkeeper down. Hungary nearly equalized immediately, but Neuer expertly blocked Dominik Szoboszlai's free kick and a subsequent rebound. The crowd's reaction to Neuer’s saves rivaled the celebration of the goal.
Though Musiala nearly scored again at the half’s end, his shot was deflected, hitting the side netting and causing a ripple that momentarily deceived even Nagelsmann. Sallai had a header disallowed for offside during first-half stoppage time. Germany maintained control in the second half, with Gulácsi denying both Gündogan and Toni Kroos. Yet, Germany nearly conceded when poor defending allowed Sallai to cross to Barnabas Varga, whose header from six yards narrowly missed the target. Germany solidified their lead in the 68th minute when Maximilian Mittelstädt delivered a pass from the left to Gündogan, who fired it into the bottom right corner.
Albania frustrate Croatia
Albania's substitute Klaus Gjasula found himself in the unusual position of scoring for both teams during a tense 2-2 draw with Croatia in another match, complicating each team's chances of advancing from the group stage at Euro 2024. The Croatian squad was notably disheartened by the outcome in Hamburg, particularly after Gjasula's goal during stoppage time thwarted their chances of a crucial victory, following a 3-0 defeat to Spain in their initial Group B game. In their first competitive encounter, Croatia set an aggressive tone early on. However, Albania's Qazim Laci opened the scoring by heading in a cross from the right in the 11th minute. Andrej Kramaric managed to equalize for Croatia in the 74th minute, but a mishap by Gjasula shortly after resulted in an own goal, giving Croatia a 2-1 lead. Just when Croatia appeared to have secured the match, Albania mounted a last-minute comeback, culminating in Gjasula redeeming himself with a decisive low shot in the 95th minute, tying the game at 2-2.
The thrilling conclusion leaves both teams in a precarious position within the group. Albania, which lost its first match to defending champion Italy 2-1, now slightly edges out Croatia on goal difference.
Post-match, the third-placed Albanians celebrated energetically, whereas Luka Modric and his teammates, who were semifinalists at the 2022 World Cup, showed their disappointment as they acknowledged their supporters. The Volksparkstadion in Hamburg was electric, evenly divided between Albania’s red-clad fans and Croatian supporters in their iconic checkered shirts, contributing to a vibrant atmosphere. Despite warnings over the loudspeaker, Croatian fans set off flares repeatedly, risking disciplinary action. In the first half, Croatia struggled to generate scoring opportunities and were fortunate to only be down by one goal at halftime, thanks to goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic, who blocked a shot from Kristjan Asllani and a header from Rey Manaj.
Reinvigorated after halftime, Croatia quickly turned the game around. Kramaric's precise shot tied the game, and Gjasula inadvertently scored the tournament's fourth own goal shortly after trying to clear the ball from the penalty area.
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