More Musiala magic for Germany
Shutout victory over Hungary moves Euro 2024 hosts into knockout stage
At Stuttgart, Jamal Musiala scored his second goal of the tourney to help Germany beat Hungary on Wednesday and book its spot in the European Championship knockout stage.
Musiala opened the scoring in the 22nd minute with a goal furiously protested by Hungary. Ilkay Gundogan had set that up and the Germany captain got on the scoresheet himself in the second half.
The 21-year-old Musiala had netted Germany's second goal in the 5-1 opening victory over Scotland on Friday. Hungary lost 3-1 to Switzerland on Saturday and now faces an uphill challenge to advance.
“He did brilliant in both games,” Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann said. “Not only the two goals, I think every situation or offensive proposition is pretty tough for the opponent to defend.”
Hungary plays Scotland in the final Group A match Sunday, when Germany takes on Switzerland.
SWITZERLAND 1, SCOTLAND 1
At Cologne, Xherdan Shaqiri's stunning first-half strike secured a draw for Switzerland against Scotland. The 32-year-old Chicago Fire forward rolled back the years with a first-time curling effort from about 20 metres out at Cologne Stadium.
Scotland had led from the 13th minute when Scott McTominay's shot took a wicked deflection off Fabian Schar to beat Switzerland goalkeeper Yann Sommer. But Shaqiri pounced on Anthony Ralston's loose pass in the 26th to even the match.
The draw leaves Switzerland second in Group B on four points and likely to advance to the round of 16, while Scotland's hopes depend on its final game against Hungary on Sunday and results elsewhere.
CROATIA 2, ALBANIA 2
At Hamburg, Croatia and Albania drew in an intense battle, a result that could make it difficult for both teams to survive the group stage.
In the first competitive match between the two Balkan teams, Croatia tried to set the pace from the start, but it was Albania's Qazim Laci who scored first, heading in a cross from the right flank in the 11th minute.
Andrej Kramaric equalized about half an hour into the second half and an own goal by Klaus Gjasula made it 2-1 for Croatia just two minutes later.
Gjasula redeemed himself by scoring Albania's equalizer in injury time.
The result leaves both nations in a precarious situation in Group B after they lost to Spain and Italy, respectively, in their first matches.