6/19/24
Group B
Croatia 2 vs. Albania 2

Frenetic finale sees points shared in Hamburg

Fabio Duarte, 1 h ago
Albania came from behind to salvage a potentially pivotal draw against Croatia in their first-ever meeting, leaving both sides on one point with UEFA Euro 2024 progression hanging in the balance ahead of Group B’s final round of fixtures.

After stunning Italy with the quickest goal ever scored at a UEFA European Championship, Albania followed up that feat with another fast start in their second group game. With just 11 minutes on the clock, Sylvinho’s side took a surprise lead as Qazim Laçi darted into the box to meet Jasir Asani’s cross, heading in at Dominik Livaković’s near post. Desperately needing a response, the 2018 FIFA World Cup finalists pushed for an equaliser, heading over the bar via Bruno Petković minutes later.

However, rather than sit in a low block and defend their slender advantage, Albania maintained their early positivity and were almost rewarded when captain Luka Modrić surrendered possession, leading to a swift breakaway as Kristjan Asllani was denied in a one-on-one situation. That counter-attacking threat persisted for the remainder of the first period, with Zlatko Dalić’s side unable to carve out a clear-cut chance at the other end.

A pair of HT alterations from the Croatian boss handed his side renewed impetus, yet as the hour mark passed by, the scoreline remained unchanged. Nonetheless, the favourites eventually got their reward for committing players forward levelling the game when birthday boy Andrej Kramarić received the ball in the area and fired low past Thomas Strakosha. That goal sparked Croatia into life, with substitute Mario Pašalić denied seconds before another sub, Ante Budimir, played a crucial role in turning the contest around, cutting the ball back across goal which eventually led to Klaus Gjasula bundling over his line.

Having regained their composure, Albania chased a late equaliser, and after Mirlind Daku was unable to capitalise on two presentable opportunities, Gjasula sent his nation’s fans into raptures with a stoppage-time goal. An incredible finale sees Sylvinho’s side salvage a late point ahead of their final group against Spain. Meanwhile, despite avoiding a first pair of consecutive defeats at the same major tournament since Euro ‘96, Croatia will need a result against defending champions Italy to ensure progression from the group.

Flashscore Man of the Match: Qazim Laçi (Albania)

Croatia Albania

6/19/24
Group A
Germany 2 vs. Hungary 0

Die Mannschaft cruise into the last 16

Mark Strange, 3 h ago
Hosts Germany became the first side to progress to the knockout stages of UEFA Euro 2024 with a 2-0 victory over Hungary in Stuttgart.

The two sides could barely have come into this game in more contrasting form from their Group A openers but the hosts almost gifted Hungary an opener after less than a minute. Joshua Kimmich had a lapse of concentration and allowed Roland Sallai in but he was smothered by the alert Manuel Neuer.

It took until the twelfth minute for the pink-shirted Germany to have an effort on goal as Robert Andrich’s rasping volley was blocked by Bendegúz Bolla. Just four minutes after he couldn’t put the finishing touches on a good move with Kai Havertz, İlkay Gündoğan was played in by Musiala and some good footwork gave it back to the Bayern Munich man who finished from ten yards out via the knee of Attila Fiola and the crossbar. Hungary were incensed believing that the German captain had fouled Willi Orbán in the buildup but VAR ruled in favour of the attacking team. Marco Rossi’s charges responded well and their own captain Domink Szoboszlai had a free-kick well saved by Neuer and Barnabás Varga just couldn’t scramble home the rebound.

Hungary did have the ball in the net in first half stoppage time via another Szoboszlai free-kick which was flicked on by Orbán before Sallai bundled home after another Neuer stop. However, the flag went up for the initial header.

The first chance of the second half fell the way of the hosts but they were denied twice in quick succession by Péter Gulácsi. First the RB Leipzig stopper palmed away Gündoğan’s effort from a narrow angle before clinging on to Toni Kroos’ deflected rebound from the edge of the box. Just before the hour mark Jonathan Tah was caught out by Varga but the big Ferencváros striker couldn’t direct his header on target in front of the masses of his supporters behind Neuer’s goal.

They were made to pay for that barely five minutes later as slick German build-up saw Maximilian Mittelstädt pull back from the left where Gündoğan swept home into the bottom corner from around the penalty spot. The relief of the home fans came cascading down from the stands in Stuttgart as the three points that secured progression to the last 16 were wrapped up.

Even the introduction for Hungary of burly striker Martin Ádám, who had a shot cleared off the line, did not change the course of the game as Julian Nagelsmann’s side’s clash with Switzerland on Sunday will merely determine their position. Despite two defeats, Hungary can still progress depending on other results as they prepare to face Scotland at the weekend.

Flashscore Man of the Match: İlkay Gündoğan (Germany)

6/19/24
Group A
Scotland 1 vs. Switzerland 1

Shaqiri drives Swiss express to deny Scots

Alex Waite, 29 min ago
Scotland were denied their first UEFA European Championship win since 1996 as Xherdan Shaqiri’s stunner helped Switzerland to earn a comeback draw in Group A.

Scotland were in no mood to wallow in self-pity after their heaviest-ever UEFA European Championship defeat to Germany on Friday and the Tartan Army had the perfect remedy by taking an early lead against Switzerland. After holding firm for the opening 10 minutes, the Scots suddenly swarmed forward on the counter-attack and a composed Callum McGregor held the ball up in the area, picked out the marauding Scott McTominay, whose goal-bound shot was deflected into the net by Fabian Schär.

But a vastly experienced Switzerland side, fielding its oldest-ever Euros starting XI, showed no signs of panic. Just 10 minutes later, Swiss stalwart Xherdan Shaqiri punished Anthony Ralston’s loose back-pass with a swerving first-time finish from the edge of the area past a full-stretch Angus Gunn as the Chicago Fire man became the first player to score in the last three Euro and World Cup finals. Switzerland were in the ascendancy and Dan Ndoye thought he’d put his side ahead by tapping into an empty net following Gunn’s fumble, but the effort was ruled out for offside.

Ndoye continued to cause issues for Scotland’s backline after HT as the striker raced onto Ruben Vargas’ looping ball forward and forced Gunn into a fingertip save. Steve Clarke’s side were then inches away from restoring their lead when Grant Hanley’s towering header from Andrew Robertson’s free-kick clattered off the post. Switzerland had the ball in the net once more in an end-to-end final after substitute Breel Embolo finished under Gunn, only for the offside flag to rise again.

Scotland’s improvements following an opening match thrashing at the hands of Germany were evident in a more resilient performance against Switzerland, and a point keeps the Tartan Army’s hopes of making a first-ever major tournament knockout stage alive. Switzerland had Shaqiri’s moment of brilliance to thank for keeping them in second place in Group A and the Rossocrociati remain unbeaten in 13 of their previous 15 major tournament group games.

Flashscore Man of the Match: Xherdan Shaqiri (Switzerland)

Scotland Switzerland