Musiala brilliance leads Germany into next round

TUTTGART, Germany (AP):

JAMAL MUSIALA is lighting up the European Championship and showing just why his teammates think the 21-year-old forward can go on to become one of the best players in the world.

Musiala scored his second goal of the tournament yesterday to help Germany beat Hungary 2-0 and book their spot in the knockout stage.

“For me it’s incredible to play with him. He can do the unexpected in every single situation,” Germany captain İlkay Gündoğan said.

“Maybe he’s the most important one at the moment for us and at such a young age as well.

“And, I love him. He’s such a complete player and such a nice guy as well. Very humble. And if he keeps doing his thing, the way he’s doing right now, he can be one of the best.”

Musiala opened the scoring in the 22nd minute with a goal that was furiously protested by Hungary. Gündoğan had set that up and got on the scoresheet himself in the second half.

Musiala had netted Germany’s second goal in the 5-1 opening victory over Scotland on Friday to kick off Euro 2024. Hungary lost 3-1 to Switzerland on Saturday and now face an uphill challenge to advance.

“He did brilliant in both games,” Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann said. “Not only the two goals, I think every situation or offensive proposition is pretty tough for the opponent to defend.

“I think it’s important for him not to deal with the pressure, just to deal with his capability to solve any offensive one-on-one situations ... He should not think about the pressure because he’s brilliant in just playing soccer.”

Hungary plays Scotland in the final Group A match on Sunday when Nagelsmann’s team takes on Switzerland.

Later, Germany became the first nation to advance to the round of 16 after Scotland and Switzerland played to a 1-1 draw, with Xherdan Shaqiri slamming in a stunning 26th-minute equaliser.

“He proved tonight that he lives and breathes for moments like these,” Switzerland coach Murat Yakin said.

Scotland had led from the 13th minute when Scott McTominay’s shot took a wicked deflection off Fabian Schar to beat Switzerland goalkeeper Yann Sommer.

The draw leaves Switzerland on four points, second in Group A behind Germany and likely to advance to the round of 16.

In Group B, Albania substitute Klaus Gjasula scored in the fifth minute of stoppage time to hold World Cup semi-finalists Croatia to a 2-2 draw. Gjasula’s own goal, just four minutes after entering the game in the second half, had looked like handing Croatia the win until his late strike.

Yesterday’s Results

Croatia 2-2 Albania

Germany 2-0 Hungary

Scotland 1-1 Switzerland