UEFA Euro 2024 scores, results, highlights, standings: Scotland and Switzerland draw as Germany reach last 16

The tournament may only be six days old, but the Euro 2024 knockout stage already has its first team, with Germany sealing their passage to the last 16 with a 2-0 victory over Hungary. It may have lacked the drama of the game that came before, but that will be perfect for Julian Nagelsmann as his side face a much bigger test than the one they faced against Scotland.

Germany’s victory came after perhaps the most memorable game of Euro 2024 so far, as Croatia came from behind to concede an early goal to beat Albania 2-1, only to be leveled late on. Qazim Laci looked to have given Sylvinho’s Kuqezinjtë a narrow victory at Hamburg’s Volksparkstadion before a two-minute blitz from Andrej Kramaric and an own goal from Klaus Gajsula turned things in Vatreni’s favor. However, there was still time for drama as Gjasula equalized for Albania deep into stoppage time and received a late yellow card in a great Group B result.

In the final game of the night, Switzerland drew 1-1 with Scotland, a result that leaves Murat Yakin’s side almost certain of reaching the knockout stage, whilst also keeping alive Scotland’s hopes of joining them and the Germany.

Euro 2024 results for Wednesday

• Croatia 2, Albania 2
• Germany 2, Hungary 0
• Scotland 1, Switzerland 1

Scotland 1, Switzerland 1: Qualification hopes remain for the Scots

With one game to go, the equation for Scotland is as simple as anyone could reasonably imagine, given the complexities of a 24-team Euro 2024. Four points have always been the Scottish target and they took a step in that direction with a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Switzerland. If they beat Hungary in Stuttgart on Sunday, Scotland will get the result they need, with a place in the round of 16 very likely.

After their resounding 5-1 defeat to the Germans on matchday one, Scotland knew they could not afford another pointless game in Group A or they might simply have too much work to do on the final matchday against Hungary. They carried out their task with determination and aggressiveness, especially in a press that was more organized than it was six days ago. When the ball appeared, they flew forward. It brought quick reward, Billy Gilmour starting a brilliant counter-attack which, through Andrew Robertson and Callum McGregor, was completed by Scott McTominay sweeping the ball into the net.

Scotland’s lead didn’t last long, as the individual errors that had hurt them so much against Germany reappeared. The pressure was on Anthony Ralston to deal with an odd ball and his underheated backpass rolled towards Xherdan Shaqiri. There was still plenty to do for the man they dubbed the Alpine Messi, a title Shaqiri lived up to with a brilliant first-time shot with his left foot. The 32-year-old may be underwhelming for MLS side Chicago Fire, but he is a different force on the international stage, top scorer in each of the last three European Championships and World Cups.

The second half brought great chances for both sides. Livewire Dan Ndoye brilliantly turned Kieran Tierney only to see his shot well saved by Angus Gunn, while Grant Hanley hit the post from a Scottish free-kick. Zaki Amdouni’s 90th-minute header could have been an even better opening, with the Burnley forward failing to direct an unmarked shot from close range, a huge relief for the Tartan Army.

Scotland will have a lot of work to do in their final match if they want to reach the round of 16. Four of the six third-placed teams in the competition will qualify; A win that would put them on four points would leave Steve Clarke’s side extremely well placed to do just that, as they are unlikely to have a big enough goal difference to overtake the Swiss even if they lose to Germany. They may well find they need to achieve that result without Kieran Tierney, who was sidelined after what appeared to be a serious hamstring injury midway through the second half.

Germany 2, Hungary 0: Hosts waver but reach round of 16

It didn’t go well in the first half as they faced Scotland in their Euro 2024 opener, but Germany got the job done, a goal from Jamal Musiala enough to take them through to the knockout stages. It could have been different on another day, as from the start Hungary tested the German defense. In fact, the first half was marked by the threat of Roland Sallai, who could have scored in the early exchanges and did just before half-time, semi-automatic offside technology confirming that the Freiburg striker had just been offside.

Between these two opportunities came Germany’s goal, with Ilkay Gundogan taking advantage of a confusion in the area that Willi Orban should have resolved and then serving Musiala to score. The Bayern Munich ace could have had another, a fierce shot that ricocheted into the side netting, but the hosts also had Manuel Neuer to thank for a spirited save from Dominik Szoboszlai’s free-kick. From a tight angle, Bendeguz Bolla was unable to turn in the rebound.

Germany’s struggles did not ease in the second half when Barnabas Varga broke away from Jonathan Tah to cross over the post, a chance that should have tested Neuer. His extravagance was punished in the 67th minute, with Maximilian Mittelstadt delivering a fine low cross for Gundogan to convert. Leroy Sane’s added brilliance from the bench almost earned a third for Germany, who will be guaranteed a top two finish if Switzerland avoid defeat. later on Wednesday. Even if they finished third, they would be guaranteed a place in the round of 16.

However, they expect much more than just that. Since 1984, no host country has lifted the Henri Delaunay Trophy. With seven goals scored in two games, Germany must certainly be among the candidates to do just that.

Croatia 2, Albania 2: Gjasula goes from villain to hero

Croatia has become synonymous over the years for its dramatic and occasionally fortunate ways of avoiding defeat in international tournaments. Vatreni regularly relies on extra time and penalties when on deep runs, such as in the 2018 FIFA World Cup final in Russia. Obviously, there are no games that go beyond the regulation 90 minutes plus extra time in the UEFA Euro 2024 group stage, but Zlatko Dalic’s men have found a way to play with fire anyway.

Qazim Laci was allowed to return home after just 11 minutes in Hamburg and, until the final quarter of an hour, it looked like that would be enough for Sylvinho’s side, who were unlucky enough to lose narrowly to Italy in their opening game. Cue Andrej Kramaric with a turnover and late equalizer in the 74th minute before a Klaus Gjasula own goal two minutes late for Croatia’s full international tournament experience condensed into a matter of 120 seconds or so. Unlike previous years, however, there was a late turnaround in Kuqezinjtë’s favor as Gjasula found himself ready to head home five minutes into added time, before receiving a characteristic yellow card.

The result means that Croatia will now have to progress with a draw between Italy and Spain on Thursday, possibly already putting second place beyond the reach of Dalic and Albania’s team. Only a victory over the Azzurri could see Croatia advance and even that could require being one of the best third-placed teams, while the winner between the Italians and La Roja could reach the round of 16 with one game to spare.

It appears to be a tournament too far for this golden generation of Croatian talent, with Luka Modric suddenly looking 38 years old and former stalwarts Ivan Perisic and Marcelo Brozovic also diminishing in strength. It seemed that their touch of dark magic had not completely deserted them, but Gjasula’s late goal seemed not only to deny Croatia victory but also to break their mental resolve at the end of another exciting game of football at this Euro.

Group B situation

The winner of Italy v Spain on Thursday can be assured of a place in the last 16 after just two games played, while any potential loser in that game would be the team that gets Croatia and Albania. A draw in the Azzurri’s clash with La Roja is actually the most likely outcome for both to go through, as they will have a three-point lead going into the final games, but the task is difficult for Croatia against Italy and for Albania against Spain . If either manages to pull off a come-from-behind victory in the third and final game, progressing as one of the best third-placed teams could still be on the cards, but another draw is unlikely to be enough.

Group A situation

The final two games in Group A will likely constitute two back-to-back battles for positioning. Switzerland need to win if they are to overtake Germany and take top spot, but it would take six goals for Scotland to overtake them into second place. Hungary’s only hope of qualifying for the round of 16 is to win and win a lot, with a goal difference of minus three or two that could be at the limit of one of the four best third-placed teams. For Scotland, a win would probably be enough to take them into the last 16.

What happened on Tuesday

• Türkiye 3, Georgia 1
• Portugal 2, Czech Republic 1

Day 5 was a very entertaining round of games despite there being only two Group F games with wins for Turkiye and Portugal to open their campaigns. A thrilling four-goal encounter at Signal Iduna Park saw Turkiye win a game that Georgia could easily have drawn before losing by a two-goal margin, with Mert Muldur and Arda Guler scoring the goal for the Euro hopefuls. Elsewhere, the Czech Republic threatened a comeback when Lukas Provod opened the scoring before a late goal from Francisco Conceição following an own goal from Robin Hranac and a marginal offside from Diogo Jota. Turkiye and Portugal face each other next, so Georgia and the Czech Republic’s previous game is of even more significant importance.

Thursday schedule

All Eastern times

• Slovenia x Serbia, 9am (preview)
• Denmark x England, 12pm (preview)
• Spain x Italy, 3pm (preview)