Niclas Fullkrug got here off the bench to grab an injury-time equaliser in opposition to Switzerland and ship Germany by means of to the knockout phases of Euro 2024 as Group A winners.
The event hosts trailed for a lot of the competition to Dan Ndoye’s first-half objective and it appeared their finest efforts wouldn’t be sufficient on an evening of frustration for Julian Nagelsmann’s males.
However Fullkrug obtained on the tip of David Raum’s inviting cross within the 91st minute to move previous Yann Sommer and deny the Swiss.
Switzerland additionally undergo in second with Hungary third following their late win in opposition to Scotland.
🇩🇪 Füllkrug’s late objective secures prime spot in Group A 👏#EURO2024 | #SUIGER pic.twitter.com/s98x3okViQ
— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) June 23, 2024
Germany got here out with loads of intent and simply two minutes had elapsed when Kai Havertz obtained on the tip of a nook to divert a header straight at Sommer.
Germany thought that they had taken the lead after 16 minutes, Sommer making a hash of Robert Andrich’s speculative 25-yard effort at his close to publish. Nonetheless, VAR intervened and the objective was dominated out for a foul by Jamal Musiala on Michel Aebischer within the build-up.
Switzerland made essentially the most of their reprieve and went in entrance 12 minutes later. Musiala misplaced the ball in midfield, Switzerland broke and Remo Freuler crossed from the left for Ndoye to steal in entrance of Jonathan Tan and volley previous Manuel Neuer.
Germany have been surprised and Ndoye got here inside inches of doubling the Swiss lead two minutes later with a left-footed drive that flashed inches huge of Neuer’s left-hand publish.
Germany spent the complete second interval camped within the Swiss half however have been annoyed by some poor ending.
Florian Wirtz was the architect after 49 minutes with an excellent by means of ball to Musiala. The Bayern Munich teenager obtained his shot on the right track however it was straight at Sommer and Ilkay Gundogan skewed the rebound huge.
Substitute Raum fired powerfully over earlier than Gundogan glanced a header off beam.
✅ Germany and Switzerland advance to the RO16
👀 Hungary are nonetheless in with an opportunity of qualifying
❌ Scotland are OUT of Euro 2024Group A delivered 🍿 pic.twitter.com/DgSPDBARs2
— Soccer on TNT Sports activities (@footballontnt) June 23, 2024
Switzerland have been defending manfully, some extent typified by an excellent problem from Manuel Akanji to stop Joshua Kimmich getting a transparent shot on objective from six yards. Maximilian Beier couldn’t drive residence the unfastened ball.
The Swiss have been being pressured to play on the counter however it virtually proved fruitful with seven minutes to go as Zeki Amdouni performed in substitute Ruben Vargas and he clipped previous Neuer solely to see the offside flag go up.
Havertz struck the bar with a header at one finish whereas on the different solely an excellent save from Neuer prevented Grant Xhaka capping a fantastic efficiency with Switzerland’s second.
It regarded like Switzerland had carried out sufficient however they bargained with out Fullkrug. Raum, who was spectacular down the left flank, whipped in one other ball and the Borussia Dortmund striker rose highest to plant a header previous Sommer.
