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Euro 2024: Germany break Switzerland hearts with last-gasp leveller in Group A

Germany pipped Switzerland to first spot in Group A courtesy of a stoppage-time header from Niclas Fullkrug in Sunday night’s Euro 2024 clash in Frankfurt.

Dan Ndoyesent Switzerland ahead in the 28th minute, and the goal looked to be enough to see A-Team move onto seven points in the section, which would have secured first ahead of Germany.

However, Fullkrug came up with a 92nd-minute leveller for the tournament hosts, and the point has seen Julian Nagelsmann finish at the head of Group A.

As section winners, Germany will take on the runner-up in Group C in the last-16 stage of the competition, which is currently Denmark but could yet be England.

Switzerland, meanwhile, will take on the runner-up in Group B, which is currently the holders Italy.

The hosts won their opening two games at the tournament with ease, but they were second-best for long spells on Sunday against a well-drilled Switzerland outfit that not too many teams will relish taking on.

Despite already qualifying for the next round, Germany head coach Nagelsmann named an unchanged side for the third game in a row at the competition, with Kai Havertz again leading their line.

As for Switzerland, there was a start for Breel Embolo in the final third of the field, and it proved to be the first time that he had been named in a Swiss XI since the 2022 World Cup, while Fabian Rieder was also introduced following the 1-1 draw with Scotland last time out.

Germany have disappointed in their last three major tournaments, being eliminated in the group stages of both the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, while they only made the round of 16 at Euro 2020.

The breakthrough appeared to have come in the 17th minute of the contest, with Robert Andrich’s effort from distance somehow finding a route past Switzerland goalkeeper Yann Sommer.

However, following a VAR check for a foul, the goal was disallowed, with Jamal Musiala diving into Michel Aebischer, and Sommer would have been incredibly relieved, as the ball should not have beaten him.

 

 

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