<\/p>\n
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\u2019s hopes of progressing were left hanging in the balance after they were held by Albania.<\/p>\n
Germany followed up their 5-1 demolition of Scotland in the tournament\u2019s opening game by seeing off the Hungarians in Stuttgart, with Jamal Musiala and Ilkay Gundogan scoring either side of half-time.<\/p>\n
Julian Nagelsmann\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
Mbappe escapes surgery for broken nose | 00:27<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Germany\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n Hungary coach Marco Rossi criticised the decision to allow Germany\u2019s opening goal.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve never complained in my career as a player or coach, I\u2019ve never looked for excuses, but what the referee did tonight… the referee used a double standard,\u201d said Rossi.<\/p>\n \u201cThe 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.\u201d <\/p>\n Rossi also took aim at the video assistant referees for not intervening, with Musiala\u2019s goal allowed to stand after a short VAR check.<\/p>\n \u201cIn my perspective Germany would have won anyways, but the referee was the worst on the pitch,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cI told my players they have nothing to regret. Germany for me is the big favourite to win the Euros but they didn\u2019t need help from the referee to win, especially against a team like Hungary.<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s see when Germany plays a team like France if a foul is given or not.\u201d <\/p>\n Gundogan, who later scored Germany\u2019s second goal, said he was bemused by the reaction of the Hungary players.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cI was quite surprised that he or his Hungary team-mates were a bit angry about it,\u201d said Gundogan.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t 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.\u201d <\/p>\n Hungary take on Scotland in their final game in Stuttgart on Sunday knowing victory is imperative if they are to reach the last 16.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have a foot out of the Euros, we\u2019re not out of it mathematically,\u201d said Rossi.<\/p>\n \u201cIn the final game we\u2019ll try everything to win, we don\u2019t want to exit without getting a single point. I don\u2019t think we deserve to be on zero points at this stage of the competition.\u201d<\/p>\n Hungary\u2019s hopes of progressing now hang by a thread, while group rivals Switzerland and Scotland played out a 1-1 stalemate in Wednesday\u2019s late match in Cologne.<\/p>\n Unstoppable Turkey’s new young gun | 00:43<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n They might even have won the game, with Grant Hanley hitting the post from a late header.<\/p>\n \u201cThe players knew what they needed to do. I thought it was a good team performance against a good opponent,\u201d said Scotland boss Steve Clarke.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was a good reaction to a disappointing night and we are still alive in the tournament.\u201d 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Elsewhere, Albania\u2019s Klaus Gjasula scored at both ends, including a dramatic injury-time equaliser as his side drew 2-2 with Croatia in Hamburg.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n But Croatia improved after the break and Andrej Kramaric levelled with 16 minutes remaining, before Gjasula put through his own net.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cWe will believe until the very end, to give our best as we did in this match,\u201d said forward Kramaric.<\/p>\n \u201cUnfortunately we didn\u2019t win but we hope to be a bit luckier against Italy.\u201d <\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have to go forward but we have to fight for every single point,\u201d said Albania\u2019s Brazilian coach, Sylvinho.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s important for our lives, the life of the country, the federation. I\u2019m proud of the players so we have to enjoy the moment.\u201d <\/p>\n Croatia entered this year\u2019s Euros looking to reach the knockout phase for a fifth consecutive major tournament, but despite that were not considered among the leading contenders.<\/p>\n \u201cBeing the dark horses, we dont mind about that,\u201d Luka Modric said last week.<\/p>\n \u201cEveryone else being the favourites, us being the dark horses, we\u2019re used to that.\u201d<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n