6/23/24
Group A
Switzerland 1 vs. Germany 1

Ful steam ahead as Germany Nic top spot from Swiss

Ryan Fisher, 1 h ago
Niclas Füllkrug scored a 92nd minute equaliser as Germany sealed top spot in Group A at UEFA Euro 2024 thanks to a 1-1 draw with Switzerland in Frankfurt.

Winning their first two group games by an aggregate score of 7-1 to secure progression to the knockout stages, Germany headed into this clash at Deutsche Bank Park looking to rubber stamp their place at the Group A summit. Instead, Julian Nagelsmann’s men were tactically upstaged by Switzerland before the break, with star players Toni Kroos and Jamal Musiala impressively shackled by the Red Crosses. Despite their struggles, Germany still looked as though they’d struck first when Robert Andrich beat Yann Sommer from long range, only for the strike to be ruled out for a foul in the build-up.

Switzerland took full advantage of that reprieve, breaking the deadlock before the half-hour with their first shot of any description. Remo Freuler was allowed too much space on the left, and his cross found Bologna teammate Dan Ndoye, arriving at the near post to fire past Manuel Neuer. Ndoye came inches away from a second moments later, dragging a shot agonisingly wide after he remarkably showed a clean pair of heels to Antonio Rüdiger. A half to forget for Germany was made even worse when Jonathan Tah picked up his second booking of the tournament, ruling him out of their Round of 16 clash.

The hosts were tasked with overturning a deficit for the first time in this tournament, and their pressure was almost constant following the restart. Musiala saw a powerful strike from distance beaten away by Sommer, while Kai Havertz headed over from close range before Joshua Kimmich was denied by a heroic block from Manuel Akanji.

Nagelsmann utilised a full complement of substitutes as the Germans chased a leveller, and after Neuer made a tremendous save to deny Granit Xhaka, two of the hosts’ replacements combined for a late equaliser. David Raum’s pinpoint cross from the left was met by Füllkrug, who expertly directed his header into the far corner to score for the 13th time in 19 appearances for his country. That secured top spot in the group for Germany while extending their unbeaten run to seven matches, a streak that can be matched by Switzerland, who finish as runners up.

Flashscore Man of the Match: Remo Freuler (Switzerland)


Germany Switzerland

6/23/24
Group A
Scotland 0 vs. Hungary 1

Tartan Army crushed by Csoboth stunner

Luke Bridle, 1 h ago
Hungary kept their hopes of progression from the UEFA European Championships’ Group A alive after ending an eight-match winless run in the tournament with a frantic 1-0 victory over Scotland. A goal in the tenth minute of stoppage time from Kevin Csoboth plunged a dagger in Scottish hearts as they were eliminated from the competition while Hungary now have every chance of making the knockout stages.

The Liverpool contingent of captains Andrew Robertson and Dominik Szoboszlai shook hands at kick-off but there was little amicable about a battling first-half which saw several yellow cards. Perhaps in an attempt to calm a raucous Scottish crowd, Hungary appeared content to let their opponents keep the ball, resulting in a whopping 77% possession to the Scots upon the 25-minute mark. They were unable to force Péter Gulácsi into any real action in the Hungarian net however, and once again looked short on a goalscorer in a muted first-half attacking display in which they produced no shots on target.

With news of Switzerland's lead against Germany in Frankfurt extinguishing Scotland's hopes of an unlikely second-placed finish, the cheers from the Tartan Army crowd increased in ferocity, knowing that victory was of the utmost importance if they were to advance from third place. Hungary did well to contain the eager Scots however, and should have found themselves ahead shortly before the break when Szoboszlai's delicious floated free-kick found Willi Orbán, who could only head over from six-yards out.

With a draw doing neither side a favour, and with zero attempted shots by Scotland as the game drew towards the hour mark, frustrations flared with Scott McTominay receiving a caution that will rule him out of the Round of 16. He remained the focal point for his side’s desperate search for a goal however, and John McGinn ought to have found the Manchester United man in the middle of the area after brilliantly evading several defenders on the wing.

A serious-looking collision between Barnabás Varga and Scotland goalkeeper Angus Gunn saw the game stopped for a long period with Varga subsequently stretchered off the field. In an emotionally-charged contest, Hungary responded bravely, and Szoboszlai almost broke the Scottish resistance when forcing Gunn into a superb stop from close range after charging into the penalty area. Hungary would keep pushing into the last seconds, and Kevin Csoboth sent the crowd into a frenzy after finishing off a slick counter attack from 12 yards with 100 minutes gone.

Ultimately, it was a distinct lack of quality in the final third that saw Scotland limp out of the tournament. Contrasting emotions for Hungary, whose last-gasp goal sees them maintain hope of progressing from Group A with their three points seeing them finish in third place.

Flashscore Man of the Match: Kevin Csoboth (Hungary)

Scotland Hungary