Niclas Fuellkrug’s stoppage-time header saved Germany from a shock defeat against Switzerland on Sunday in Frankfurt, securing a 1-1 draw and ensuring they finished top of Group A in Euro 2024.
The Swiss stunned the home crowd when Dan Ndoye scored from close range in the 28th minute. Despite Germany’s desperate late-game efforts, it wasn’t until Fuellkrug’s dramatic header in the second minute of stoppage time that the hosts found relief.
This result pushes Switzerland into a tougher last 16 match, likely against Euro holders Italy or 2018 World Cup finalists Croatia. Germany now prepares to face the second-place team from England’s Group C, currently Denmark.
“The equaliser was deserved, as was the group win. We threw a lot forward at the end,” Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann said confidently.
Fuellkrug praised his teammates’ effort, telling ARD, “The cross was perfect. That was a nice moment for us as a team. It changes the situation.”
Germany entered the match with high hopes of redeeming almost a decade of major tournament disappointments, having exited in the group stage of two World Cups and the last 16 of the previous Euros. Led by experienced midfielders Ilkay Gundogan and Toni Kroos, they had already secured wins against Scotland and Hungary.
However, Switzerland’s energy caught Germany off guard, and they struggled to create clear-cut chances. Despite Fuellkrug’s late heroics, Nagelsmann has much to ponder after the lackluster performance.
Nagelsmann chose to stick with the same starting XI for the third consecutive game, a decision that backfired when defender Jonathan Tah received his second yellow card of the group stage, ruling him out of Germany’s first knockout match.
“The yellow card for Tah was unjustified, which is annoying. But we have enough quality to compensate for that,” Nagelsmann remarked.
Germany started strong, pushing forward with long balls over Switzerland’s midfield press. Robert Andrich thought he had given Germany the lead after 16 minutes, but VAR overturned the goal due to a foul by Jamal Musiala.
Switzerland took advantage of sloppy play from Musiala and Joshua Kimmich to score. Musiala lost possession, Kimmich failed to secure the ball, and Remo Freuler set up Ndoye for the goal.
Trailing for the first time in the tournament, Germany looked unsettled. They pressed hard in the second half, with Nagelsmann making several offensive changes, but struggled against Switzerland’s solid defense. Manuel Akanji notably blocked Kimmich’s close-range shot with 20 minutes left.
Fuellkrug, subbed in with 14 minutes remaining, became Germany’s savior by heading in a David Raum cross to reclaim the top spot in the group.
