Niclas Fullkrug (2nd R) of Germany scores during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group A match between Germany and Switzerland in Frankfurt, Germany, June 23, 2024. (Xinhua/Bai Xuefei)
BERLIN, June 23 (Xinhua) -- Niclas Fullkrug's late goal helped hosts Germany tie Switzerland 1-1 on Sunday and advance to the Euro 2024 round of 16 top as Group A winners.
Germany had already been through after having snatched two wins in as many games and needed just a one point to clinch the group win.
The tournament host started on the front foot as Kai Havertz tested Switzerland goalkeeper Yann Sommer early on with a dangerous header on target.
Julian Nagelsmann's boys thought they had opened the scoring with 17 minutes played, but Robert Andrich's long-range goal was ruled out due to a foregone foul play.
Switzerland then opened the scoring out of thin air at the half hour mark as Remo Freuler crossed into the path of Dan Ndoye, who volleyed the ball past Germany goalie Manuel Neuer at the near post.
Ndoye should have doubled Switzerland's advantage moments later but for all that the striker narrowly missed the target from 16 meters.
After the restart, Germany took over and pressed the Nati onto the back foot as Florian Wirtz and Toni Kroos tested Sommer with long-range efforts.
Switzerland caught Germany flat-footed on a fast break in the 84th minute, but Ruben Vargas' goal was ruled offside. Granit Xhaka created another promising chance but Neuer palmed away his hammer.
Germany kept it bowling and was rewarded in the dying minutes of the clash as Fullkrug jumped high to nod home David Raum's cross into the area. Both players came off the bench and paved the way for Germany's Group A win.
"It wasn't easy today. You cannot underestimate the Swiss. We conceded a goal against the run of the game, but we scored late to win the group," said Germany captain Ilkay Gundogan.
"It's annoying to swallow a late equalizer. We defended well though and staged a brave performance," said Switzerland goalkeeper Sommer.
In the other Group A encounter, Hungary reaped a late victory over Scotland as Kevin Csoboth's sole goal was enough to seal all three points against the Bravehearts who are now eliminated from the tournament.
With the results, Germany completes its group stage atop the standings with 7 points followed by Switzerland (5 points), Hungary (3 points) and Scotland (1 point).
The top two of each of the six groups and the best four third finishers will enter the round-of-16 knockout stage. ■
David Raum (R) of Germany vies with Silvan Widmer of Switzerland during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group A match between Germany and Switzerland in Frankfurt, Germany, June 23, 2024. (Xinhua/Bai Xuefei)
Antonio Rudiger (top) of Germany vies with Fabian Rieder of Switzerland during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group A match between Germany and Switzerland in Frankfurt, Germany, June 23, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan)
Leroy Sane (R) of Germany vies with Ruben Vargas of Switzerland during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group A match between Germany and Switzerland in Frankfurt, Germany, June 23, 2024. (Xinhua/Bai Xuefei)
Yann Sommer (front), goalkeeper of Switzerland, makes a save during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group A match between Germany and Switzerland in Frankfurt, Germany, June 23, 2024. (Xinhua/Bai Xuefei)
Niclas Fullkrug (2nd L) of Germany scores during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group A match between Germany and Switzerland in Frankfurt, Germany, June 23, 2024. (Xinhua/Bai Xuefei)
Manuel Neuer (front), goalkeeper of Germany, makes a save during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group A match between Germany and Switzerland in Frankfurt, Germany, June 23, 2024. (Xinhua/Bai Xuefei)
Antonio Rudiger (R) of Germany vies with Fabian Rieder of Switzerland during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group A match between Germany and Switzerland in Frankfurt, Germany, June 23, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan)
Jamal Musiala (L) of Germany shoots during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group A match between Germany and Switzerland in Frankfurt, Germany, June 23, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan)
Yann Sommer (2nd L), goalkeeper of Germany, saves the ball during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group A match between Germany and Switzerland in Frankfurt, Germany, June 23, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan)
Manuel Neuer (2nd L), goalkeeper of Germany, saves the ball during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group A match between Germany and Switzerland in Frankfurt, Germany, June 23, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan)
Leroy Sane (2nd R) of Germany breaks through during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group A match between Germany and Switzerland in Frankfurt, Germany, June 23, 2024. (Xinhua/Bai Xuefei)
Referee Daniele Orsato (3rd R) shows a yellow card to Silvan Widmer (2nd L) of Switzerland during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group A match between Germany and Switzerland in Frankfurt, Germany, June 23, 2024. (Xinhua/Bai Xuefei)
Yann Sommer (1st L), goalkeeper of Switzerland, makes a save during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group A match between Germany and Switzerland in Frankfurt, Germany, June 23, 2024. (Xinhua/Bai Xuefei)
Marton Dardai (2nd R) of Hungary vies with John McGinn of Scotland during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group A match between Scotland and Hungary in Stuttgart, Germany, June 23, 2024. (Photo by Philippe Ruiz/Xinhua)
Marton Dardai (R) of Hungary vies with Che Adams of Scotland during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group A match between Scotland and Hungary in Stuttgart, Germany, June 23, 2024. (Photo by Philippe Ruiz/Xinhua)
Che Adams (C) of Scotland competes during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group A match between Scotland and Hungary in Stuttgart, Germany, June 23, 2024. (Photo by Philippe Ruiz/Xinhua)
Kevin Csoboth (R) of Hungary shoots during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group A match between Scotland and Hungary in Stuttgart, Germany, June 23, 2024. (Photo by Philippe Ruiz/Xinhua)
Grant Hanley (Top) of Scotland heads the ball during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group A match between Scotland and Hungary in Stuttgart, Germany, June 23, 2024. (Photo by Philippe Ruiz/Xinhua)
Bendeguz Bolla (L) of Hungary vies with Andrew Robertson of Scotland during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group A match between Scotland and Hungary in Stuttgart, Germany, June 23, 2024. (Photo by Philippe Ruiz/Xinhua)
Andras Schafer (Top) of Hungary vies with Che Adams of Scotland during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group A match between Scotland and Hungary in Stuttgart, Germany, June 23, 2024. (Photo by Philippe Ruiz/Xinhua)
Barnabas Varga (Top) of Hungary vies with Jack Hendry of Scotland during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group A match between Scotland and Hungary in Stuttgart, Germany, June 23, 2024. (Photo by Philippe Ruiz/Xinhua)
Fans of Germany cheer before the UEFA Euro 2024 Group A match between Germany and Switzerland in Frankfurt, Germany, June 23, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan)
Murat Yakin (L), head coach of Switzerland, is seen before the UEFA Euro 2024 Group A match between Germany and Switzerland in Frankfurt, Germany, June 23, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan)
A fan of Germany is seen before the UEFA Euro 2024 Group A match between Germany and Switzerland in Frankfurt, Germany, June 23, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan)
