Germany grab stoppage-time equaliser to deny Switzerland and top group

A terrific injury-time header from Niclas Fullkrug at the end of another terrific match salvaged a draw for Germany, who now go through to the Euro 2024 knockout stages as Group A winners. Switzerland, who had taken the lead in the first half and were excellent throughout, qualify for the last 16 in second place.

Contents

Talking Point – How can Germany improve?Player of the Match – Manuel Akanji (Switzerland)Player Ratings Key moments Key stat

Germany began fairly well, dominating possession, but Switzerland defended with discipline and conviction, shutting down spaces and winning challenges. On 17 minutes, Robert Andrich thought he’d put the hosts ahead with his first international goal, Yann Sommer diving under his shot, but the ref, encouraged by VAR, rightly disallowed the goal for a foul by Jamal Musiala on Michel Aebischer.

Then, on 28 minutes, Switzerland took the lead, Fabian Rieder winning the ball and driving forward before Remo Freuler’s excellent cross was volleyed home by Dan Ndoye.

Germany did not improve much after half-time, as likely to concede a clincher as score an equaliser. But with seconds remaining, one sub, David Raum, crossed for another, Fullkrug, whose touch, strength and composure under pressure redeemed a nevertheless concerning night for the hosts. Switzerland, on the other hand, though denied a momentous victory, will take huge confidence from their performance, and will be a difficult night for whoever they meet next.

Talking Point – How can Germany improve?

Germany had started the tournament well, thrashing Scotland in their first game and easing past Hungary in their second. But tonight was a reality check: Switzerland, who were superb, comprehensively shut them down..

Though Kai Havertz has many attributes, a lone frontman he is not. He has beautiful feet, but is unreliable as scorer, target man and channel-runner. And behind him, Germany’s midfield play was slow and predictable; Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz are fantastic players but each wants to come inside, while neither Toni Kroos nor Ilkay Gundogan can run.

Or, in other words, Julian Nagelsmann needs to ask himself if there is room in his team for both, or if he needs a winger for pace, penetration and variety; if his midfield can function properly with two older players, however brilliant each is; and whether he must select a more traditional centre-forward able to threaten in behind and play with back to goal. HIs current blend may get his side a decent way in this competition, but it would be surprising if it was good enough to win it.

Player of the Match – Manuel Akanji (Switzerland)

Covered in behind, attacked the ball, and marshalled his team’s back line.

Player Ratings

Switzerland: Sommer 7, Schar 7, Akanji 8, Rodriguez 7, Widmer 6, Xhaka 8, Freuler 7, Aebischer 7, Ndoye 7, Embolo 7, Rieder 7. Subs: Vargas 6, Duah 6, Amdoni 6.

Germany: Neuer 6, Kimmich 5, Rudiger 6, Tah 6, Mittelstadt 6, Andrich 6, Kroos 6, Musiala 6, Gundogan 6, Wirtz 6, Havertz 6. Subs: Raum 7, Schlotterbeck 6, Beier 6, Sane 6, Fullkrug 7.

Key moments

17’ – NO GOAL! Germany release Mittelstadt down the left, Aebischer doing really well to slide in ahead of Musiala. But when the ball is cleared to Andrich on the edge, he swats a shot that skips off the turf just in front of the diving Sommer, who should do much better, and that’s his first goal for Germany! But wait… over to VAR… Yup, Musiala slid in and took man with none of the ball, Aebischer already having cleared. No goal. Correct decision.

28’ – GOAL!! Switzerland 1-0 Germany (Ndoye): NOW THEN! Rieder drives through midfield, collects Ndoye’s return backheel, then a pass down the side finds Freuler, who crosses lowish, and Ndoye, nipping ahead of Tah, stretches into a fine volley that flies high past Neuer! Switzerland are switzerlanding again!

84′ – OH MY DAYS! Duah backheels and Amdouni slides Vargas in. He clips an expert’s finish over Neuer, finishing the match … and up goes the flag. He’ll regret not timing his run just a fraction better.

90+2’ – GOAL! Switzerland 1-1 Germany (Fullkrug): Germany work the ball from right to left and Raum swings over a delectable cross, Fullkrug leaping backward and almost backing away from his header in order to cushion an assassin’s finish into the far side-netting! Brilliant goal, and Switzerland will be feeling very, very poorly. Football is a brutal, beautiful business.