An added-time header from Niclas Füllkrug saw Germany secure top spot in UEFA Euro 2024 Group A with a 1-1 draw against Switzerland in Frankfurt on Sunday. Julian Nagelsmann’s team will now face the nation that finishes second in Group C (England, Denmark, Slovenia or Serbia) in Dortmund on Saturday, 29 June (9pm CEST).
Manuel Neuer, Joshua Kimmich and Jamal Musiala all started against the Swiss. Leroy Sané came on in the 76th minute, while Thomas Müller remained an unused substitute.
Neuer, Kimmich and Musiala made it three Bayern players in the Germany starting XI for the third time at Euro 2024.
Nagelsmann chose the same team as in the first two group games against Scotland (5-1) and Hungary (2-0) and saw his side dominate possession but struggle up against a compact opponent. Robert Andrich then looked to have put Germany ahead on 17 minutes, but the goal was ruled out on review due to an earlier foul by Musiala. At the other end, Dan Ndoye took the Swiss’ first chance after 28 minutes when turning in a cross from the left.
Joshua Kimmich almost got an equaliser for Germany against Switzerland.
Musiala had the first opportunity of the second half to level things but was denied by ex-Bayern goalkeeper Yann Sommer. The hosts kept pushing and so nearly got their equaliser after 70 minutes, until Manuel Akanji produced an excellent defensive block against Kimmich’s close-range shot. Switzerland thought they had a second as Germany opened up, but Rubén Vargas had his goal ruled out for offside.
Kai Havertz struck the crossbar with five minutes of the 90 remaining before Neuer produced a good stop from Granit Xhaka. Füllkrug then finally got the equaliser when he powered in a header from a David Raum cross two minutes into added time.
Germany’s round of 16 game will be on Saturday evening, a few hours after Switzerland face the team that finishes second in Group B (Italy, Croatia or Albania).
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