Germany snatches a late goal to draw 1-1 with Switzerland to finish top of Euro 2024 group

With a stoppage-time goal from substitute Niclas Füllkrug, Germany drew 1-1 with Switzerland on Sunday to guarantee the host country won its group.

Füllkrug ascended high in a packed penalty area to head a cross from fellow replacement David Raum beyond Swiss goalie Yann Sommer into the far corner of the net.

Switzerland had shown promise in defending a deftly volleyed goal by Dan Ndoye in the 28th minute.

Group A saw Germany finish first and Switzerland second, thanks to the point for each team. Hungary defeated Scotland 1-0 in Stuttgart to move into third position in the rankings with an even later stoppage-time goal.

Now, Germany plays the runner-up in Group C—which is presently headed by England—in Dortmund on Saturday in the round of 16. As things stand right now, Denmark would be Germany's opponent before Tuesday's Group C final round of games.

Switzerland will play the Group B runner-up, perhaps Italy or Croatia, in the round of 16 on Saturday at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin. Their pivotal group game comes on Monday.

The young Italian team that has qualified for its first Champions League participation next season, Bologna, was where Switzerland made their goal.

Ndoye matched his sprint to a floating pass from Remo Freuler, a Bologna colleague, that crossed the goalmouth. The onslaught started when German halfback Fabian Rieder, starting his first game since the 2022 World Cup, won the ball and fed Freuler.

Germany had been denied the lead in the 17th round after a video review. The long-range effort by Robert Andrich rebounded up and over Sommer's dive, but the VAR crew notified Italian referee Daniele Orsato of Jamal Musiala's prior infraction in the goalmouth.

Though no further rain is expected for at least five days, the roof remained closed to safeguard the much-maligned Waldstadion playing field, which performed better on Sunday.

The grass was chopped up for the two earlier Euro 2024 events in Frankfurt. It hasn't appeared to settle in since being installed in November after two NFL games at the stadium.

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