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Posted: 2024-06-19 21:54:35

The groups are starting to figure themselves out at Euro 2024 as the competition gets into full swing in Germany.

Here are the five quick hits from the Wednesday night and Thursday morning action that you might have missed.

1. Musiala shows why he could become best in the world

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 overnight to help Germany beat Hungary 2-0 and book its 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 faces 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."

2. Shaqiri strikes a first-time-hit stunner for the Swiss

Xherdan Shaqiri's stunning first-half strike secured a 1-1 draw for Switzerland against Scotland on Wednesday.

The 32-year-old Chicago Fire forward rolled back the years with a first-time curling effort from about 20 meters out at Cologne Stadium.

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

But Shaqiri pounced on Anthony Ralston's loose pass in the 26th to even the match.

The draw leaves Switzerland second in Group B on four points, while Scotland's hopes of advancing to the round of 16 depend on the result of its final game against Hungary on Sunday.

3. Albanian sub scores for both teams in draw with Croatia

Albania substitute Klaus Gjasula had the rare experience of scoring for both teams in an intense 2-2 draw with Croatia that could make it difficult for each to survive the group stage at Euro 2024.

The Croatian players were particularly disappointed with the result in Hamburg after Gjasula's stoppage-time goal denied them a much-needed win after they lost 3-0 to Spain in their opening Group B match.

"My first minutes on the pitch were very, very difficult for me not only for the own goal but also other situations," Gjasula said.

"Then God wanted and gave me the opportunity to score. A very beautiful, historic day for me."

In the first-ever competitive match between the two Balkan teams, Croatia tried to set the pace from the start, but it was Albania's Qazim Laci who scored first, heading in a cross from the right flank in the 11th minute.

Andrej Kramarić equalised in the 74th minute before Gjasula's own goal made it 2-1 for Croatia just two minutes later.

At that point, Croatia looked in control but a late surge by Albania changed everything once again as Gjasula redeemed himself by scoring with a low shot in the 95th minute.

It was a thrilling end-to-match that left both Croatia and Albania in a precarious situation in the group. Albania lost to defending champion Italy 2-1 in its first match.

4. Serbia and Albania fined for nationalist flags in the crowd

UEFA fined the Albanian and Serbian soccer federations 10,000 euros ($16,270) each on Wednesday for fans displaying banners with nationalist maps at European Championship games.

Each federation was charged with "transmitting provocative messages not fit for a sports event" because they are responsible for the conduct of their fans at stadiums.

Albania fans displayed a banner with a map of their country extending its borders into the territory of neighbouring countries. It was shown during the 2-1 loss against Italy on Saturday in Dortmund.

Security guards in yellow vests chase a man on a soccer pitch.

A pitch invader runs on the field during the match between Italy and Albania, with Albania eventually fined for the incident.(AP: Alessandro Tarantino)

Serbia fans' banner included the independent territory of Kosovo and the slogan "No Surrender" at a 1-0 loss against England in Gelsenkirchen. A case was prosecuted by FIFA at the 2022 World Cup when players were photographed with a similar banner in their locker room ahead of a game against Brazil.

UEFA also opened a separate investigation into alleged discrimination by Serbia fans. The Kosovo soccer federation filed a formal complaint with UEFA.

The Albanian federation was fined a further $44,000 for fans lighting flares and fireworks, throwing beer cups and a fan who went on the field.

5. England, Denmark and Spain get the royal treatment

Two kings and a prince are set to watch the soccer aristocrats playing on the field at European Championship games.

King Frederik X of Denmark and the first in line to the British throne, Prince William, will be together in the VVIP seats when their national teams meet in Frankfurt.

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