Euro 2024 round up: Germany struggle to draw with Switzerland to win Euro group, Scotland eliminated

Germany's Niclas Fuellkrug celebrates his equaliser against Switzerland (AFP/VNA Photos)

It was deep into extra time that super-sub Niclas Fuellkrug scored to salvage a 1-1 draw for Germany against Switzerland, securing top spot in Group A and maintaining their momentum heading into the knockout stages of Euro 2024.

Despite having already qualified for the last-16, Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann kept faith in the same starting lineup from their first two group matches.

The German team started brightly, pressing high and denying Switzerland time on the ball. In the early stages, Ilkay Gundogan and Kai Havertz both came close to opening the scoring, but were denied by last-ditch blocks and saves.

Germany's dominance was rewarded in the 17th minute when Robert Andrich fired home a superb long-range strike, only for VAR to rule it out for a prior foul by Jamal Musiala.

That decision seemed to unsettle the hosts, and they fell behind shortly after when Dan Ndoye finished smartly past Manuel Neuer after good work from Fabian Rieder and Remo Freuler.

Undeterred, Germany poured forward in search of an equaliser, but were frustrated by the resolute Swiss defense. As the match entered the closing stages, it appeared Switzerland would hold on for a famous victory.

However, in the 92nd minute, Fuellkrug rose highest to head home David Raum's cross and salvage a point for Germany.

The late goal ensured Nagelsmann's side topped the group with seven points, setting up a last-16 clash with the runners-up from Group C. Switzerland rank second in group with five points, waiting to meet the second team in Group B.

Hungary forward Kevin Csoboth (left) scores against Scotland

Scotland misery

Elsewhere in Group A, Hungary, with a 1-0 stoppage-time victory over Scotland, secured three points to finish third.

Scotland, with only one point, became the second team, after Poland, to be eliminated from the tournament.

During the first 45 minutes, fans only witnessed one notable opportunity when Hungary's Willi Orban's header hit the post at the end of the first half. Even if the ball went into the net, the goal would not have counted due to an offside.

It was until the last 10 minutes that the two sides picked up the pace. In the minute 92, Hungarian fans were preparing to celebrate when Kevin Csoboth faced the goalkeeper. However, the Hungarian hit the post.

Scotland pushed the entire squad to attack but could not score and then collapsed when the match entered the 10th minute of injury time. After a quick counterattack, space opened up again for Csoboth. This time, the star who came on as a substitute successfully took advantage of the opportunity to kick into the opponent's net.

The game was overshadowed by an incident halfway through the second half, where Scotland goalkeeper Angus Gunn appeared to accidently collide with Hungarian forward Barnabas Varga. There was a long pause in the match as Varga received treatment before being taken off the pitch with his teammates clearly distressed at the incident.

Earlier, Scotland fans lit up Euro 2024 with an estimated 200,000 in Germany with or without tickets, but their team had not matched such passion with yet another failure to progress from the group stage in a dozen major tournaments.

TB (according to VNS)