Euro 2024: Hosts Germany through to last 16, Scotland and Croatia Settled With Draws

Leading Group A at Euro 2024, Germany defeated Hungary 2-0, while Albania held Croatia to a 2-2 draw thanks to an injury-time equalizer by Klaus Gjasula.

In the second round of the Euro 2024 group stage on Wednesday, Albania left it late to salvage a 2-2 draw with Croatia, but goals from Jamal Musiala and Ilkay Gundogan helped Germany move into the final 16 after clinching the second consecutive victory 2-0 over Hungary.

Though Germany goalie Manuel Neuer saved Joshua Kimmich's foul return ball ahead of Rolland Sallai, Hungary had the better start. It lost the great opportunity to break the stalemate in the opening minute.

With 10 minutes gone, Germany almost scored when Kai Havertz slid past Hungary's defenders and tested goalie Peter Gulacsi from a good position.

Ten minutes later, however, Gulacsi was helpless when Willi Orban lost the ball inside his area, enabling Gundogan to set up Musiala, who completed the task to become the first player to score two goals at Euro 2024.

Hungary pushed fervently for the equalizer, but Neuer held out Dominik Szoboszlai's free-kick at the half-hour mark before the striker had another risky attempt stopped by Jonathan Tah of Germany minutes later.

Though Marco Rossi's team believed they had equalized, the VAR declared Sallai's goal offside just before halftime.

Germany was in charge after the restart, but Hungary was always a threat when Barnabas Varga headed just wide after a precise cross from Sallai around the hour mark.

The tournament hosts finally eliminated any question about the victory in the 67th minute when Gundogan scored the 2-0 lead after Maximilian Mittelstadt made a square ball into the area.

Though joker Leroy Sane and Niclas Fullkrug could not add additional goals to the advantage, Julian Nagelsmann's players remained formidable.

"On this level, you must remain stable. Hungary is a very uncomfortable opponent, but we remained stable in most situations. You must win a match like this first, and we managed to do that," said Nagelsmann.

Germany remains top in Group A with two victories in as many games, followed by Switzerland, Scotland, and Hungary.

Xherdan Shaqiri's ferocious shot into the upper left corner gave Switzerland a 1-1 draw against Scotland in the other Group A match.

Klaus Gjasula of Albania upset Croatia in Group B with a last-minute 2-2 draw. Qazim Laci of Albania gave the team an early lead, but Andrej Kramaric of Croatia tied the score. Gjasula's goal aided Croatia's comeback, but the Darmstadt midfielder stayed involved after tying the score at 2-2 in extra time. 

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