We’ve arrived at the sharp end of the pool stage at Euro 2024 this Sunday, as Group A comes to a climax in Germany.
It’s a low stress event for the host nation, going into what could have been a problematic fixture against Switzerland in Frankfurt with six points already banked.
That leaves underdogs Scotland and Hungary scrapping it out in Stuttgart to thrust themselves into the mix for what would most likely be a third-placed finish for either.
*All kick off times in local time.
Group A: Switzerland vs Germany – 21.00
Germany set out to complete their clean sweep of Group A at their home Euro 2024 tournament on Sunday, as they go up against Switzerland in Frankfurt.
And they do so with their place in the Round of 16 already secured.
Julian Nagelsmann’s men took the heat out of their pool finale by seeing off Hungary in Stuttgart with a routine 2-0 success.
Jamal Musiala lashed in the opener at the midpoint of the first half before veteran Ilkay Gundogan did likewise in the second to ensure the hosts became the first nation to seal progression to the knockouts.
It was a continuation of the form that saw them demolish sorry Scotland 5-1 on the opening night in Munich.
Goals from Florian Wirtz, Musiala, Kai Havertz, Niclas Fullkrug and Emre Can did the job at the Allianz Arena, with the Germans already looking a good bet to go all the way on home turf.
Their neighbours are also guaranteed at least a third-placed finish and will progress as runners-up if they can earn a draw at the Waldstadion.
It would also take a six-goal swing were they to lose and Scotland were to beat Hungary to edge them into third, although their existing four-point haul would likely be enough to take them through to the knockouts regardless.
Xherdan Shaqiri found the top corner on Thursday night to pull the Swiss level against the Scots, who were much improved from their opening night disaster to keep the group live with a 1-1 draw.
They had earlier started with an impressive, 3-1 victory over tricky Hungary.
Kwadwo Duah opened the scoring early on before Michel Aebischer added a second on the half time whistle, with Breel Embolo completing the job at the death after Barnabas Varga had pulled on back to keep the pressure on.
Group A: Scotland vs Hungary – 21.00
It’s effectively a knockout game in Stuttgart on Sunday, with at least one of Scotland and Hungary guaranteed to be heading home at the end of their final Group A fixture at Euro 2024.
The pair have just a point between them coming into the decider, leaving them with no further room for error.
It’s the Scots who have the brighter prospects of sneaking through to the Round of 16, after they perked up markedly from their dismal opening night to secure a draw against Switzerland in Cologne.
Scott McTominay picked up on his form from qualifying to score the opening goal in the 13th minute, as the Manchester United midfielder’s effort threatened to take the roof off a raucous RheinEnergieStadion thanks to the Tartan Army contingent.
They were pegged back by Xherdan Shaqiri’s equaliser just 13 minutes later, but it proved to be a hard-earned point that kept their dream just about alive.
That looked an unlikely thought after the curtain-raiser in Munich, where Steve Clarke’s side were battered by host nation Germany.
A late Antonio Rudiger own goal was the only source of joy on a bleak night where they otherwise failed to lay a glove on Julian Nagelsmann’s team.
But they now know a win here will give them every chance of a lucky loser slot, with even a glimmer of hope of squeaking past the Swiss into second if they suffer a similar fate at the hands of the Germans.
Hungary are even closer to the brink and without a point to their name.
They slipped to a 2-0 loss to Germany on Wednesday afternoon, as Jamal Musiala and Ilkay Gundogan did the damage in Stuttgart.
It followed a frustrating opening Saturday for coach Marco Rossi, who watched his side slip to a 3-1 defeat against Switzerland despite Barnabas Varga pulling one back in the second half to keep them in the race.
That means it’s win or bust against the Scots to stand even a slim chance of extending their Euro 2024 stay.
Switzerland v Germany
| Result prediction | draw |
| Over/Under prediction | over 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | draw / draw |
| Team to Score prediction | both teams |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | X. Shaqiri(Switzerland), K. Havertz(Germany) |
Scotland v Hungary
| Result prediction | draw |
| Over/Under prediction | under 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | draw / draw |
| Team to Score prediction | both teams |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | n/a |