With a commendable team performance, host nation Germany defeated Hungary (2-0) to maintain their unbeaten status and become the first team to qualify for the Round of 16 in the Euro 2024 football championship. Meanwhile, Croatia found themselves in a precarious position after drawing against Albania.
As part of Group A in the city of Stuttgart, the Germans once again delighted the crowd and celebrated goals from Jamal Musiala at the 22-minute mark and İlkay Gündoğan at 67 minutes, bringing their total to six points. Musiala, a 21-year-old attacking midfielder, scored his second goal of the tournament, while Gündoğan was named the Most Valuable Player at MHPArena.
Hungary, on the other hand, suffered another defeat following their opening loss to Switzerland (1-3), putting them on the brink of elimination. The Swiss were unable to secure their spot in the next round after a 1-1 draw against Scotland in a match that could have gone either way at the RheinEnergieStadion in Cologne.
Croatia's Struggles Continue
Meanwhile, Croatia, runners-up in the 2018 World Cup and semifinalists in Qatar 2022, missed the chance to surpass Albania on the second matchday of Group B, making their progression to the knockout stages more challenging. The Croatians were leading until the 95th minute when Klaus Gjasula equalized (2-2) at the majestic Volksparkstadion in Hamburg.
Gjasula went from zero to hero, having earlier scored an own goal in the 76th minute that gave the Balkans the lead. Qazim Laci (11) and Andrej Kramaric (74) scored the other goals. Both teams now must win their upcoming matches to stay in the tournament. Historically, no team has advanced to the next stage with two draws since the Euro expanded to 24 teams.
The tournament schedule for Thursday includes matches between Slovenia and Serbia, Denmark and England, and a European classic: Italy vs. Spain.
Key Questions About Euro 2024 Group Stages
As the Euro 2024 group stages continue, several questions arise regarding the performance of key teams and their chances of advancing. Here are some frequently asked questions and their answers.
What does Germany's qualification mean for their opponents?
Germany's early qualification puts additional pressure on their Group A opponents, as they will now be fighting for the remaining spots in the Round of 16.
How does Croatia's draw affect their chances?
Croatia's draw against Albania means they must win their remaining group matches to have a chance of advancing to the knockout stages, making their path more challenging.
Which matches should fans look forward to next?
Fans should look forward to the upcoming matches between Slovenia and Serbia, Denmark and England, and the classic encounter between Italy and Spain.