The vibrant vibe of Julian Nagelsmann Germany side face Hungary in Stuttgart looking to take a step closer to the round of 16 Euro 2024.
The hosts received huge applause after their performance in the 5-1 victory over Scotland in the opening game, with Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz in particular, signaling a new generation of German talent to keep up with big names including Tony Kroos and Ilkay Gundogan.
And while Germany further cemented their status as one of the tournament’s favorites, Hungary – who some consider to be among the underdogs – fell to a disappointing 3-1 defeat against Switzerland.
Marco Rossi’s side trailed 2-0 at the end of the first half and, despite a much better performance in the second half, were unable to equalize before conceding a third in stoppage time. They are aware they can still qualify third, but a surprise win over Germany would set them up for a vital final group stage match against Scotland.
Keep up with all the latest news and fixtures in our live blog below, following Croatia v Albania coverage:
Germany vs Hungary – live updates
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Full live coverage of Germany v Hungary following the conclusion of Croatia v Albania
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Hosts Germany face Hungary in their second group stage game, which kicks off at 5pm BST, live on BBC One
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Florian Wirtz, Jamal Musiala and Toni Kroos played a big part in Scotland’s 5-1 demolition on the opening night
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Hungary lost 3-1 to Switzerland in their debut
Germany – Hungary
Jamal Musiala signals the arrival of Germany’s new generation with the thrashing of Scotland at Euro 2024
11:20 am , Jack Rathborn
If the beginning of 2006 was a famous “summer fairy tale” for Germany, this could be the beginning of an even better story. It also doesn’t lack youthful joy, as the standing ovation testifies Jamal Musiala. For Scotland, there was only a grim reality. There were some familiarities with it as well.
They at least had something like a late shot and goal to at least make it 5-1. It really could have been much worse. It couldn’t have been better for Germany. This opening game Euro 2024 it had the feel of a great event beforehand, as illustrated by Sir Alex Ferguson’s message before a raucous Flower of Scotland, but he had to witness an event that was only about the size of the defeat. Scotland were lucky to escape with just a four-goal defeat. Everyone else was lucky enough to witness Musiala.
There was real symbolism in the way he and the effervescent Florian Wirtz scored to win the game within the first 20 minutes, especially with the abandonment of Musiala’s shot. The 21-year-old – to use coach Julian Nagelsmann’s line before the game – certainly killed it. This was the impetuous arrival of a brilliant new German generation, but they were out before the opposition even had time to think. That may be a common feeling at the end of this tournament, as Nagelsmann’s thrillingly synchronized team announced themselves as suitable contenders.
Jamal Musiala signals the arrival of the new Germany with a rout over Scotland
Is Germany v Hungary on TV? Channel, start time and how to watch the Euro 2024 game online tonight
11:20 am , Jack Rathborn
Euro 2024 hosts Germany will look to gain more momentum after the big win over Scotland in the opening, as they face Hungary in Group A.
Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz starred in the perfect start to Germany’s Euro 2024 campaign, beating dismal Scotland 5-1 in Munich
Julian NagelsmannThe team now travel to Dortmund to face Hungary, who beat Germany away from home in the Nations League two years ago.
But Hungary have a lot of catching up to do if they want to reach the knockout stages and were defeated 3-1 by Switzerland in their opening game.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the Group A match.
Is Germany v Hungary on TV? Channel, time and how to watch tonight
Luka Modric, the problem of aging and the worst day for Croatia’s greatest generation
11:11 , Jack Rathborn
It just took a while Luka Modric 18 years. In 2006, the summer before Lamine Yamal was born, he was an unused substitute against Brazil at Berlin’s Olympiastadion. He has yet to take the field – blame coach Zlatko Kranjcar for that – but remarkable longevity has seen him return to Berlin, in historic company. For the Croatia captain, playing in the ninth major tournament meant joining only Cristiano Ronaldo and Lothar Matthaus among Europeans. Just months before turning 39, he became the oldest player ever at the European Championships; although perhaps only for a few days, until Ronaldo and Pepe pass him by.
A record-breaking day, however, became an advertisement for youth rather than experience. Lamine Yamal, the youngest footballer ever at this level, around 22 years younger than Modric, turned things around. Croatia lost 3-0 to Spain. It was not as dramatic a case of a glorious career ending at the Olympiastadion as that of Zinedine Zidane at the end of the 2006 World Cup, but it was a day to raise questions. Is Croatia finally too old? Will time eventually catch up with the timeless Modric, however boyish his physique remains, baggy as his shorts are?
A midfield trio with 375 combined caps could still pass, but they might not be able to press. As Spain had less possession than in the past, Croatia did not get close enough to them. “We weren’t aggressive enough,” said coach Zlatko Dalic. “We were too slow and too far from the players.” He felt the problem was most apparent on the flanks, not the veteran midfield, but a product of aging could be a reluctance to approach younger, quicker players. One problem with aging is that every defeat is attributed to the possibility of decline. This could simply be “a bad day,” as Dalic said. Or it could be something symbolic, the end of an era.
Luka Modric and the problem of aging
Is Croatia v Albania on TV? Channel, start time and how to watch the Euro 2024 game online today
11:10 am , Jack Rathborn
Croatia go to their second game Euro 2024 campaign knowing that only a victory is an acceptable result, as they seek to qualify for the round of 16.
Luka Modric’s side suffered a disappointing 3-0 defeat to Spain in the match Group B first game, and although qualification hopes are still alive, it was an alarming performance from the World Cup semi-finalists.
Albania’s tournament could not have started more positively, with Nedim Bajrami scoring the fastest goal in the tournament’s history after just 23 seconds. Even so, they lost 2-1 to champions Italy, despite putting in a spirited display.
They will know that despite having the toughest group in the tournament, they will have a great chance of progressing to the next round if they can manage a victory over their Balkan neighbors.
