Goals from Jamal Musiala and Ilkay Gundogan gave Germany a comfortable 2-0 win over Hungary in Group A on Wednesday that made the host nation the first side to qualify for the knockout stage at Euro 2024.
With two wins out of two, the Germans are guaranteed to be at least among the four best third-placed teams, and they will finish in the top two of the group if Scotland fail to beat Switzerland later on Wednesday. That scenario would also prevent Hungary from finishing in the top two.
Musiala gave the Germans the lead in the 22nd minute after some horrendous Hungarian defending led to the ball being poked into his path by Gundogan, and the 21-year-old needed no second invitation, hammering the ball in via a defender.
Roland Sallai had a goal ruled out in first-half stoppage time for Hungary and they wasted a number of other decent chances before Gundogan scored in the 67th minute with a simple finish after a superb build-up to wrap up the three points.
Germany v Hungary – live updates
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Germany book their place in the last 16 with victory over Hungary
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Goals from Jamal Musiala and Ilkay Gundogan take Julian Nagelsmann’s side through to the knockout rounds
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FT! Germany 2-0 Hungary
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GOAL! GERMANY 2-0 Hungary (Ilkay Gundogan, 67 minutes)
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HALF TIME: Germany 1-0 Hungary
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GOAL! GERMANY 1-0 Hungary (Jamal Musiala, 23 minutes)
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KICK OFF!
Germany 2 – 0 Hungary
Germany book place in round of 16 with 2-0 win over Hungary
18:58 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Dominik Szoboszlai looks disappointed – the Hungary captain may reflect on the chances his side missed, with Barnabas Varga’s second half header the most prominent of them while the score was 1-0. Scotland are their last opponents, with a win a must if their Euro 2024 adventure is to extend beyond the group stage.
It was much better from Marco Rossi’s men, though, with much more energy and organisation than against Switzerland.
FT: Germany 2-0 Hungary
18:56 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Germany progress to the round of 16 with back-to-back wins to start their campaign on home soil. Julian Nagelsmann slaps the hands of his players, content that they’ve got the job done despite not being at their brilliant best. It lacked the majesty of the dismantling of Scotland, and there were a few defensive frailties exposed by Hungary, but a win and a clean sheet is good enough for now.
FULL TIME! GERMANY 2-0 HUNGARY
18:52 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Germany 2-0 Hungary, 90 minutes
18:50 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Now then! Manuel Neuer gets himself in a muddle trying to collect a hopeful hoist above a grounded Martin Adam, and the goalkeeper is therefore grateful for the quick thinking of Joshua Kimmich, scrambling back to keep out the shot that arrives. Not Neuer’s tidiest moment – I don’t think VAR would have saved him either.
Three minutes, though, between Germany and a place in the knockout rounds.
Germany 2-0 Hungary, 88 minutes
18:47 , Harry Latham-Coyle
The last roll of the dice from Hungary manager Marco Rossi. Daniel Gazdag and Kevin Csoboth have the job of sparking something special in these final minutes.
Germany 2-0 Hungary, 87 minutes
18:46 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Joshua Kimmich stands up a cross for Niclas Fullkrug to attack, but the centre forward can’t get anything like the power on it he needs to test Peter Gulacsi.
Germany 2-0 Hungary, 84 minutes
18:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle
An ovation from the Stuttgart crowd as Deniz Undav, on loan at the club from Brighton, readies himself. The warm reception continues as Ilkay Gundogan’s number comes up on the board, the midfielder having been at the heart of everything good from Germany today.
Germany 2-0 Hungary, 82 minutes
18:42 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Zsolt Nagy wins a corner on the left. Up come the Hungarian heavies, hoping to find the goal that will get them back in it. It’s a cracker of a ball, too, and Emre Can does very, very well to hold off Martin Adam at the far stick.
Germany 2-0 Hungary, 81 minutes
18:41 , Harry Latham-Coyle
A driving run from Emre Can pierces the Hungarian midfield, affording Chris Fuhrich plenty of time and space on the left wing. Can finds him with the pass and Fuhrich goes to work, cutting in and unfurling a right footed shot that doesn’t quite have the requisite curve.
Germany 2-0 Hungary, 76 minutes
18:37 , Harry Latham-Coyle
A double switch for Hungary: mighty Martin Adam is on up front, with Zsolt Nagy introduced on the left. Off go the wing-backs Bendeguz Bolla and Milos Kerkez.
Germany 2-0 Hungary, 75 minutes
18:34 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Joshua Kimmich seems to fancy a goal today. The versatile Bayern Munich stalwart came through Stuttgart’s youth system though never appeared at senior level for the club; he stings the palms of Peter Gulacsi with a left-footed effort.
Germany 2-0 Hungary, 72 minutes
18:31 , Harry Latham-Coyle
A mighty roar as Stuttgart’s own Chris Fuhrich is brought on for Germany. He replaces Jamal Musiala, while Emre Can is on for Robert Andrich in midfield, too.
Germany 2-0 Hungary, 70 minutes
18:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle
The home fans have been brought back to life by that goal, the atmosphere having faded during Hungary’s brighter moments either side of half time. Joshua Kimmich almost brings them to their feet with a proper thump of an effort, eschewing two waiting team mates to aim for the far corner. Niclas Fullkrug and Jamal Musiala make their frustration known at the full-back’s decision, but that wasn’t far away at all.
GOAL! GERMANY 2-0 Hungary (Ilkay Gundogan, 67 minutes)
18:26 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Germany unpick the Hungary defence and Ilkay Gundogan threads home a finish!
Lovely football. Sharp passing on the edge of the area drags the Hungarian defence this way and that, the hosts waiting for an opportunity to present itself. Jamal Musiala inches inwards gradually, taking up a position that allows Maximilian Mittelstadt to overlap.
Mittelstadt squares for Gundogan, drifting as he does so brilliantly into the box, and in goes a second goal that should, you’d think, seal victory.
Germany 1-0 Hungary, 64 minutes
18:24 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Hungary introduce experienced midfielder Laszlo Kleinheisler for Adam Nagy as Dominik Szoboszlai stands over a corner kick. Kleinheisler takes up position but it is Germany who field the delivery. How long until Marco Rossi makes a more attacking change?
Germany 1-0 Hungary, 62 minutes
18:21 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Germany need another. Jamal Musiala tries to conjure it, yet fails to keep his shot down after some lively footwork to create room 25 yards out.
Germany 1-0 Hungary, 60 minutes
18:20 , Harry Latham-Coyle
What a chance for Barnabas Varga! A deep cross arcs invitingly for the striker to head back across goal, but he gets too much power on it, sending it over the crossbar! A fright for Germany – that really should have found the corner.
Germany 1-0 Hungary, 58 minutes
18:18 , Harry Latham-Coyle
A double switch for Germany, with Julian Nagelsmann seeking something different in forward areas. Niclas Fullkrug and Leroy Sane on; Kai Havertz and Florian Wirtz off.
Germany 1-0 Hungary, 56 minutes
18:16 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Germany are beginning to threaten again. A vital foot from Willi Orban prevents Kai Havertz slotting Ilkay Gundogan in on goal.
Germany 1-0 Hungary, 55 minutes
18:14 , Harry Latham-Coyle
A smart double save from Peter Gulacsi, first palming away an Ilkay Gundogan cross and then leaping to his left to deny a rasping Toni Kroos 20-yarder that had clipped a defender on the way through.
Germany 1-0 Hungary, 53 minutes
18:13 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Lovely work from Andras Schafer, dancing down into the Germany half and carrying on under pressure from Toni Kroos. But Dominik Szoboszlai is squeezed out by a retreating Jonathan Tah and arriving Robert Andrich, who put the clamps on the Liverpool midfieder from either side.
Germany 1-0 Hungary, 51 minutes
18:10 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Jamal Musiala plays a pass all the way back to Manuel Neuer, Germany starting again after their initial attempt to make inroads is stalled. A more direct approach works, but Kai Havertz’s back heel into a Hungarian defender clips the striker’s shin before ricocheting behind.
Germany 1-0 Hungary, 48 minutes
18:08 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Better from the trailing side. Milos Kerkez gets to the byline and draws a corner. Dominik Szoboszlai’s deliver is overhit, though.
Germany 1-0 Hungary, 46 minutes
18:06 , Harry Latham-Coyle
An uninspiring start from Hungary, immediately giving the ball away. Antonio Rudiger and Jonathan Tah soon push up to well inside the opposition half, from whence the former releases a speculative shot. A flick of a boot and behind for a corner, which Hungary deal with effectively.
Second half…
18:04 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Manuel Neuer straps his gloves back on as he leads Germany out of the tunnel. Toni Kroos has a natter with Sandro Wagner, the former striker who is now part of Julian Nagelsmann’s coaching staff, still strategising 15 years after they came through Bayern Munich’s academy together.
Hungary were out rather earlier. No half time changes to report.
HT: Germany 1-0 Hungary
17:54 , Harry Latham-Coyle
A funny half, that, Germany dominant on the ball as expected but plenty to encourage Hungary in it, too. A series of chances, threat at set pieces, that offside at the end of the half – if they can keep holding firm defensively, an equaliser might just come.
Germany, though, will feel they still have more precision to find moving forward. They’ve thrown some funky shapes at Hungary with Jamal Musiala, Ilkay Gundogan and Florian Wirtz all threatening around Kai Havertz, who is bringing them in well. Can they open up after the interval?
HALF TIME: GERMANY 1-0 HUNGARY
17:48 , Harry Latham-Coyle
OFFSIDE! Germany 1-0 Hungary, 45 + 2 minutes
17:48 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Hungary have the ball in the net but up goes the linesman’s flag! A beautifully whipped free kick is flicked on by Willi Orban and superbly kept out by Manuel Neuer, but Roland Sallai is on hand to tap in the rebound. Alas, both Orban and he had strayed too soon at the point of delivery, as the semi-automated offside decision system soon confirms.
Germany 1-0 Hungary, 45 minutes
17:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Almost a sensational finish! Half the MHP Arena think Jamal Musiala has produced a sizzling snapshot into the top corner, but it’s a foot or two wide of the post, ruffling the side netting.
Two more minutes to come in the half.
Germany 1-0 Hungary, 42 minutes
17:43 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Hungary’s back five is becoming a seven at times as the men in pink and purple pat the ball about with poise and purpose.
Germany 1-0 Hungary, 38 minutes
17:39 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Jamal Musiala cuts between three defenders like a slalom skier, immaculate on his edges before eventually clattering in to Willi Orban. Musiala is furious as referee Danny Makkelie whistles for a free kick against him – and Orban’s foot was slightly high, you know, even if he bore the brunt of the collision.
Germany 1-0 Hungary, 37 minutes
17:37 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Another corner soon follows. Hungary are struggling to escape.
Germany 1-0 Hungary, 35 minutes
17:36 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Some calm, crisp passing from the Germans as they re-establish control of the half. A deep cross is attacked by Kimmich, advancing again, and turned behind by a Hungarian head.
Germany 1-0 Hungary, 32 minutes
17:32 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Joshua Kimmich darts up the right touchline, peeling in to try and latch on to a loft that isn’t quite directed right. A raised thumb from the right-back indicates he was content with the conception, though – an error of execution.
Germany 1-0 Hungary, 30 minutes
17:31 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Hungary have responded well to falling behind. Jonathan Tah is forced into emergency duties to keep out a Dominik Szoboszlai half-volley.
Should Jamal Musiala’s goal have stood?
17:29 , Alex Pattle in Stuttgart
The Hungary fans are shouting and whistling after seeing a replay of the Germany goal. They believe Gundogan shoved over Orban. They may have a point.
Germany 1-0 Hungary, 26 minutes
17:27 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Almost an instant reply! Dominik Szoboszlai curls a delicious free kick towards the top corner, requiring Manuel Neuer to extend fully to keep it out.
GOAL! GERMANY 1-0 Hungary (Jamal Musiala, 23 minutes)
17:22 , Harry Latham-Coyle
No they cannot!
Oh, Hungary. It looks like they’ve done enough to smother Ilkay Gundogan after Willi Orban steps powerfully across the onrushing midfielder, but the centre half takes a tumble after a shunt in the side from Gundogan, allowing the ex-Manchester City man to pick up the pieces again.
Neat feet allow him to tee up Jamal Musiala, who fires home his second goal of the tournament via the thigh of Atilla Fiola and the crossbar. The Hungary fans cry foul; VAR is happy. Germany lead!
Germany 0-0 Hungary, 21 minutes
17:22 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Hungary are just starting to be pushed back further and further. Milos Kerkez hauls a clearance in the vauge direction of Barnabas Varga, but the ball is soon sent back upfield. It’s been a decent start from Marco Rossi’s side, but can they maintain it?
Germany 0-0 Hungary, 19 minutes
17:19 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Neat interplay from Germany, Jamal Musiala threading a pass inside that Ilkay Gundogan steps over, allowing Kai Havertz to then try and turn him in behind. Havertz gets slightly too much on his blind clip – a shame, because Gundogan’s movement was lovely.
Germany 0-0 Hungary, 15 minutes
17:15 , Harry Latham-Coyle
A second sighting of goal for Roland Sallai, a midfield mistake letting him in. Joshua Kimmich plants a blocking lower limb in the way of the effort.
Germany 0-0 Hungary, 13 minutes
17:14 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Germany are switching and swapping Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala around, the pair on top of each other at times as they try to stress and strain the Hungary defence. Wirtz concedes a soft free kick after running aground just outside of the 18-yard area.
Germany 0-0 Hungary, 11 minutes
17:12 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Top stop! That’s some save from Peter Gulacsi, you know, Kai Havertz’s volley on him in an instant after Willi Orban had dallied over a bouncing ball. Gulacsi thrusts out a reactionary fist and manages to push it wide.
Germany 0-0 Hungary, 10 minutes
17:11 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Good work from Barnabas Varga, scurrying in front of a German leg to bravely win a flick-on, from which Hungary can’t capitalise. The striker had a good season with Ferencvaros.
Germany 0-0 Hungary, 8 minutes
17:09 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Willi Orban shoots out of defence like a moray eel from the coral, biting the ball away from the feet of a weaving Jamal Musiala. You suspect that he and his two centre-back colleagues will have plenty of that to do today.
Germany 0-0 Hungary, 6 minutes
17:07 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Marton Dardai trebuchets in a long throw, which hits a German head and deflects behind for the game’s first corner. Hungary keep the pressure on and Bendeguz Bolla rattles a pair of legs with a driving effort – another corner.
That’s a better clearance, headed powerfully away.
Germany 0-0 Hungary, 3 minutes
17:04 , Harry Latham-Coyle
I think Germany will like the open pasture appearing in the Hungary half, though. Twice they almost catch their opponents napping in transition, but the passes don’t quite stick.
Kai Havertz does get on to a long ball, though, and sets about manufacturing a shooting opportunity. Feign right, dive inside…tame. Peter Gulacsi scoops it up off the deck.
Germany 0-0 Hungary, 2 minutes
17:03 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Germany settle in soon enough. It looks like Toni Kroos – dropping deep as he did against Scotland – can expect to see plenty of Dominik Szoboszlai, who is pushing up and in from his inside right position to press the midfielder.
Germany 0-0 Hungary, 1 minute
17:01 , Harry Latham-Coyle
So nearly a dream start for Hungary! A long ball lands in the German box and isn’t cleared satisfactorily, allowing Roland Sallai a sniff. Manuel Neuer is out rather sharply to deny the winger – an early scare for the hosts befre the home fans had even finished clearing their throats.
KICK OFF!
17:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle
We’re underway in Stuttgart.
Germany vs Hungary
16:58 , Harry Latham-Coyle
The hosts are in their purple and pink change number this evening, with Hungary sporting white. Skippers Ilkay Gundogan and Domink Szoboszlai swap pennants – here we go.
Germany vs Hungary
16:56 , Harry Latham-Coyle
There’s plenty of Hungarian fans inside MHPArena, waving their national flags overhead, creating ripples of red, white and green.
It’s a Dutch officiating team today, if you were wondering: Danny Makkelie has the whistle and leads it; Rob Dieperink is on VAR duties.
Germany vs Hungary
16:52 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Right, here we go – Germany would secure their spot as the first team into the round of 16 with victory here. Can Hungary spring a surprise?
Germany vs Hungary
16:46 , Harry Latham-Coyle
There’s plenty of locksmiths in the Germany side, though, who will be aiming to pick their way through that defence. There’s creativity and class oozing out of every pore of Julian Nagelsmann’s line-up, with Kai Havertz retaining his place up top. Expect to see Niklas Fullkrug at some point, though, to offer a rather different attacking focal point.
Germany vs Hungary
16:40 , Harry Latham-Coyle
It’s not curtains for Hungary today even if they are beaten, but their hopes of escaping the group will be slim with only Scotland to come. Marco Rossi’s side were one of the opening round disappointments, arriving at the tournament with decent form but never really getting out of the blocks against Switzerland. Rossi has backed the same midfield and frontline, making alterations in a defensive five that he hopes will be able to hold firm against this fluid, fluent German front line.
Major Tom: Why Germany’s unofficial anthem is poised to be ‘the song of Euro 2024’
16:35 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Our reporter Alex Pattle is in Stuttgart for us, drying out in the sunshine after receiving a right old soaking in Dortmund yesterday. The atmosphere for Turkey against Georgia was something special, though, and today should be lively, too, as Alex explains:
Why a 1980s pop hit is set to be ‘the song of Euro 2024’
Niclas Fullkrug breaks Germany fan’s hand with wayward shot at Scotland match
16:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle
A Germany fan suffered a broken arm after being hit by a wayward Niclas Fullkrug shot on Friday, but the supporter is set to be back in the stands on Wednesday.
Kai Flathmann was struck during the warm-up for Germany’s Euro 2024 opener against Scotland, and he was forced to watch the rest of the game from a hospital in Munich.
That has not deterred him from seeking a swift return to the stands, though, with Flathmann due to attend Germany’s game with Hungary on Wednesday (19 June) evening. Germany thrashed Scotland 5-1 in Group A, and the hosts continue their campaign at 6pm local time in Stuttgart.
Niclas Fullkrug breaks Germany fan’s hand with wayward shot at Scotland match
To Stuttgart!
16:22 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Onwards we go in this wild, weird and wonderful European Championship, another low-key afternoon on paper having descended into utter chaos in Hamburg. What delights does the day’s middle game have in store for us? Hosts Germany are back in action, still riding high from that opening night drubbing of Scotland and now encountering a Hungarian outfit looking to bounce back from defeat to Switzerland.
Kick-off is not far away.
Today’s fixtures
16:18 , Chris Wilson
A reminder of the other two games that take place later today.
Hosts Germany face Hungary in Stuttgart at 5pm BST, while Scotland look to bounce back from a bruising defeat in their opening match when they face Switzerland at 8pm BST.
You can follow the Germany game below!
Germany v Hungary LIVE: Euro 2024 official line-ups and team news
Next matches
16:12 , Chris Wilson
That result gives both sides their first point of the tournament, so there’ll be plenty to play for on the final matchday in Group B. Italy and Spain face off tomorrow in the other game in the group.
Croatia’s final game comes against the Azzurri, and it kicks off at 8pm BST on Monday, 24 June in Leipzig.
Albania have the tougher final fixture, as they face an impressive Spain side at the same time in Dusseldorf.
Euro 2024: Hungary starting line-up to face hosts Germany
16:08 , Jack Rathborn
Hungary XI: Gulácsi; Fiola, Orbán, Dárdai; Bolla, Ádám Nagy, Schäfer, Kerkez; Sallai, Szoboszlai, Varga
FULL-TIME: Croatia 2-2 Albania
16:05 , Chris Wilson
Euro 2024: Germany unchanged to face Hungary
16:01 , Jack Rathborn
Germany XI: Neuer, Kimmich, Rudiger, Tah, Mittelstadt, Andrich, Kroos, Musiala, Gundogan, Wirtz, Havertz
FUL-TIME! Croatia 2-2 Albania
16:00 , Chris Wilson
99 mins
There’s no time for any more action, as the referee brings a pulsating game to an end! The spoils are shared in the battle between the Balkan neighbours.
Euro 2024: Croatia 2-2 Albania
15:58 , Chris Wilson
97 mins
We’re past the allotted six minutes, and it’s chaos in Hamburg. A brilliant, if cynical, challenge near halfway stops the Croatia counter, and eventually Albania counter. It’s three-v-three for the underdogs and they look to play it wide to the right, but it’s cut out before they can get the shot away!
GOAL! Croatia 2-2 Albania
15:56 , Chris Wilson
95 mins
GOAL! Albania have the equaliser!!!
Brilliant from Hoxha again as he skips past his man on the left and carries it wide. He stands up the two defenders and slips a pass between them to the overlapping Asllani, who then cuts it back to Gjasula, who side-foots it low into the net!
Euro 2024: Croatia 2-1 Albania
15:53 , Chris Wilson
95 mins
We’ll definitely go over the allotted amount of added time here. Defiinitely…
Euro 2024: Croatia 2-1 Albania
15:53 , Chris Wilson
93 mins
CLOSE! Great play from Albania as Hoxha holds it up on the left of the area and then squares it to Seferi, who’s on the edge of the six-yard box. His touch is poor and his shot is blocked, before Daku is penalised for a high foot at he tried to turn in the rebound.
Euro 2024: Croatia 2-1 Albania
15:51 , Chris Wilson
91 mins
There’ll be six added minutes in Hamburg.
Euro 2024: Croatia 2-1 Albania
15:50 , Chris Wilson
90 mins
End-to-end stuff here as Albania attack and try their luck from the edge of the area. Livakovic spills it and Daku tries to turn in the rebound, but he hits it over! He was offside anyway in the end.
Euro 2024: Croatia 2-1 Albania
15:48 , Chris Wilson
89 mins
Almost exceptional from Martin Baturina, as he carries the ball almost from his own half into the Albania box. He rides the challenge and then beats the man in the box, eventually getting a shot away, but Strakosha collects.
Euro 2024: Croatia 2-1 Albania
15:47 , Chris Wilson
88 mins
Almost the goal everyone seemingly wants to see, as Modric collects the ball outside the box and tries his luck from distance, but he drags it wide of the far post.
Euro 2024: Croatia 2-1 Albania
15:45 , Chris Wilson
86 mins
Juranovic concedes the throw deep into the Croatia half, and though they win the ball back they give it away quickly.
Albania try and swing a cross into the box, but Gjasula was offside.
Euro 2024: Croatia 2-1 Albania
15:44 , Chris Wilson
84 mins
Perisic – who has certainly wrestled back his starting place, you’d think – comes off for Sosa, while Kramaric is replaced by Baturina.
For Albania, Ramadani and Manaj come off for Hoxha and Daku.
Euro 2024: Croatia 2-1 Albania
15:40 , Chris Wilson
80 mins
Albania and their fans look shellshocked, but Croatia continued piling on the pressure after their equaliser, and Albania couldn’t deal with it.
The tables have turned now and Croatia are happy to keep the ball. They do launch an attack though, and Sucic whips it towards the back post before Albania manage to hook it away.
GOAL! Croatia 2-1 Albania
15:38 , Chris Wilson
76 mins
GOAL! And Croatia have turned it around!
Šutalo does well to dispossess Minaj and Croatia attack again. It finds its way to Gvardiol, who lays it to Kramaric. He spots the run of Budimir and slips it through towards the byeline, and Budimir cuts it back straight to Pašalić, whose shot is deflected in!
GOAL! Croatia 1-1 Albania
15:35 , Chris Wilson
74 mins
GOAL! Croatia are level!
Croatia go down the other end and they work the ball to Budimir on the edge of the box. He’s spotted the overlapping run from Kramaric, and the midfielder cuts back inside before giving Strakosha the eyes and rifling a shot in at the near post, though the legs of Hysaj.
Euro 2024: Croatia 0-1 Albania
15:31 , Chris Wilson
70 mins
Modric swings in another inviting corner, but Albania head it away again. Croatia threaten again and it’s almost brilliant link-up play between Susic and Budimir, but the latter miscues his attempted one-two.
Goalscorer Laci comes off for Albania, and on comes defensive midfielder Klaus Gjasula.
Euro 2024: Croatia 0-1 Albania
15:26 , Chris Wilson
66 mins
Half a chance for Albania as Bajrami collects the ball near halfway and carries towards the box. He tries to tempt Gvardiol to dive in but the City man holds firm, and Bajrami blasts a shot wide just as he enters the box.
Euro 2024: Croatia 0-1 Albania
15:23 , Chris Wilson
64 mins
Albania make a chance as Asani comes off for Taulant Seferi.
Euro 2024: Croatia 0-1 Albania
15:22 , Chris Wilson
63 mins
Brilliant again from Manaj as he takes down Strakosha’s long ball and wins another free-kick. Albania carry on the attack, and it ends with Bajrami hitting a shot straight at Livakovic.
Euro 2024: Croatia 0-1 Albania
15:18 , Chris Wilson
60 mins
Modric tries from distance and it’s blocked by Ramadani, who stays down in the box. He’ll be fine; it hit the inside of his leg, so it’s pretty obvious what he’s doing!
Euro 2024: Croatia 0-1 Albania
15:17 , Chris Wilson
57 mins
Better from Albania as they keep possession and recycle it to the ‘keeper, but it’s wasteful in the end from an attempted pass forward.
Croatia come again, with Modric sweeping it wide to Susic. He delivers the ball in, and Petkovic wins a corner as his header is deflected behind.
From the corner, Sutalo gets his head to it from about three yards out, but he can’t direct it on target!
Euro 2024: Croatia 0-1 Albania
15:12 , Chris Wilson
53 mins
Croatia have started this half brilliantly in comparison to the first, and they’re looking threatening as they pile on the pressure.
Kovacic is the latest to try his luck, as he hits one from outside the box that takes a kind deflection and runs to Strakosha.
Euro 2024: Croatia 0-1 Albania
15:10 , Chris Wilson
51 mins
Croatia force Strakosha into his first real save of the match so far, as Sucic collects on the right, gets it out from under his feet and tries to curl it into the far corner.
Moments later, Croatia clip another ball towards the far post, but the header is over the bar.
KICK-OFF! Croatia 0-1 Albania
15:04 , Chris Wilson
Croatia get the second half started. They’ve made two changes: Mario Pasalic has come on for Brozovic, and Sucic has replaced Majer.
HALF-TIME! Croatia 0-1 Albania
15:03 , Chris Wilson
The teams are coming back out, so we’re moments from the second half.
Can Albania grab a historic win, or will Croatia fight their way back into it?
Worth remembering that a loss here for either side effectively rules them out of qualifying for the last 16.
HALF-TIME! Croatia 0-1 Albania
15:00 , Chris Wilson
Albania will obviously be far happier with how that half turned out, and they were good value for their lead at the break.
In truth they haven’t exactly be asked to do a lot in defence, but they have continuously threatened in attack and have created all of the best chances so far.
Croatia are lacking that last bit of quality and cohesion in the final third. A disjointed performance in that first half. .
HALF-TIME! Croatia 0-1 Albania
14:56 , Chris Wilson
HALF-TIME! Croatia 0-1 Albania
14:50 , Chris Wilson
46 mins
CLOSE! Albania could be three-nil up here!
Albania counter once more and the cross comes in from the right, with Manaj diving to get a head to it. He should do better though, and Livakovic gets down to his right to parry it away.
The half comes to an end after some great link-up play in the box from Croatia ends with Perisic clipping a cross into the six-yard box, and it’s headed down but saved by Strakosha!
There was a foul in the build-up somewhere anyway, and soon after the whistle goes for half-time! An entertaining match so far for the neutral.
Euro 2024: Croatia 0-1 Albania
14:46 , Chris Wilson
45 mins
Croatia are applying all the pressure as the half comes to an end, but it’s lacking any imagination. Strakosha collects an easy header after Perisic attempted to head the diagonal ball in back across goal.
A minute later, Kramaric tries to fizz in a cross from the left, but again it’s straight to Strakosha.
There’ll be one minute of added time.
Euro 2024: Croatia 0-1 Albania
14:44 , Chris Wilson
42 mins
Perisic delivers the cross and the header away only falls to Modric on the edge of the box. Croatia work it across to the right and it’s Juranovic to swing in the cross this time, but it’s headed behind for a goal kick.
Euro 2024: Croatia 0-1 Albania
14:41 , Chris Wilson
40 mins
Brozovic with another effort that goes off-target, and moments later Gvardiol is dispossessed on the edge of the Albania box.
Albania are doing a great job of frustrating Croatia, keeping possession well in their half and winning clever free-kicks.
Euro 2024: Croatia 0-1 Albania
14:38 , Chris Wilson
38 mins
Strakosha does well to push away the cross from Modric, and then Mitaj does brilliantly to beat the first challenge, carry it out and then win the free-kick.
They counter with the long ball over the top again, but Manaj can’t bring it down as it comes over his shoulder.
Euro 2024: Croatia 0-1 Albania
14:37 , Chris Wilson
36 mins
Sutalo is the latest defender to do well to cut out the Albania through ball. So much space in the Croatian midfield, it’s like watching Manchester United.
Euro 2024: Croatia 0-1 Albania
14:34 , Chris Wilson
31 mins
CLOSE! So close to a second for Albania.
They counter after Modric gives it away in midfield. Asllani is making the run towards goal and it’s threaded through to him, but the midfielder hits it too close to Livakovic after trying to give him the eyes and slot it in at the near post.
Euro 2024: Croatia 0-1 Albania
14:31 , Chris Wilson
30 mins
Almost a great chance for Albania! It’s almost a carbon copy of the goal, as Asani whips it in and Laci has got in between the centre-backs, but it’s headed away.
It falls to Hysaj on the edge of the box, but he can’t keep his half-volley on target.
Euro 2024: Croatia 0-1 Albania
14:25 , Chris Wilson
23 mins
Croatia are pressing very high in their attempts to get an equaliser; a little bit more quality and Albania would’ve been clean through on more than one occasion.
It’s Croatia with all the possession at the moment though. 66 per cent of it to be exact.
Euro 2024: Croatia 0-1 Albania
14:22 , Chris Wilson
20 mins
Croatia continue to pile on the pressure but the break is always on for Albania. This time, Asllani hooks a pass to Bajrami, who’s made the overlapping run.
It’s a straight foot race to get one-v-one, but the defender slides in to win it. Croatia go down the other end and Brozovic has an effort from the edge of the box, but he drags it well wide.
End-to-end stuff so far.
Euro 2024: Croatia 0-1 Albania
14:19 , Chris Wilson
17 mins
Juranovic tries to cause chaos with the long throw into the Albania box, but it’s cleared. Croatia come again with Gvardiol surging through midfield, and he wins the free-kick after being pulled back.
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