Euro 24: More Musiala magic as Germany ease into knockout stage

STUTTGART, 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 on Wednesday 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 Ilkay Gundogan 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. Gundogan had set that up and got on the scoresheet himself in the 67th minute.

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 football."

Hungary play Scotland in the final Group A match on Sunday, when Nagelsmann's team takes on Switzerland.

Hungary were unbeaten in their previous three matches against Germany and they put up a good fight against the host nation in Stuttgart.

Coach Marco Rossi said his players paid the price for what he felt was unbalanced refereeing.

"Throughout my career, first as player and then as coach, I have never looked for alibis," Rossi said. "But what the referee did tonight ... I think even the Germans saw that he used two different measurements.

"Germany would have still won, they are stronger and they would have won, but the referee was the worst on the field."

Other results: Croatia 2 Albania 2; Scotland 1 Switzerland 1.