Niclas Füllkrug (#9) of Germany shoots to score a goal in a Euro 2024 group game against Switzerland in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, June 23, 2024. /CFP
They all jumped for the ball in a frantic late push for the goal that would save Germany from their first loss at Euro 2024, against an impressive Switzerland team.
Defender Nico Schlotterbeck leaped up, next to the even more imposing center-back Antonio Rudiger, who reached highest of all. In front of them both was substitute Niclas Füllkrug.
The German trio were circled by three Swiss opponents trying to protect a 1-0 lead two minutes into stoppage time. Six pairs of feet left the ground in unison, straining to get to the ball.
It was Füllkrug who won the contest, guiding the ball crossed from fellow substitute David Raum back to the other side of Switzerland goalkeeper Yann Sommer, and into the top corner of the net. The game ended 1-1.
"We risked a lot in this phase because we could have conceded a second goal," Germany coach Julian Nagelesmann said about throwing his defenders into attack. "He who doesn't dare to risk, doesn't get to draw."
Germany had already advanced to the round of 16 before kickoff Sunday, but a draw felt like a win under the circumstances, and maintained the momentum from impressive wins against Scotland and Hungary.
"When you see how the Germans celebrated their goal, that says everything," said Switzerland captain Granit Xhaka, who was named Man of the Match.
Switzerland impressed while protecting a 28th-minute goal from Dan Ndoye's clever volleyed shot, and chasing a bigger lead. A second goal was denied by a marginal offside ruling against Ruben Vargas and a fine save by Manuel Neuer from Xhaka's shot.
The point for each team ensured Germany finished top and Switzerland second in Group A. Hungary took third place in the standings with an even later stoppage-time goal to beat Scotland 1-0 in Stuttgart.
Germany will go to Dortmund for a round of 16 game Saturday against the Group C runners-up. That opponent can be any of the four teams – England, Slovenia, Denmark or Serbia – who play their final round of Group C games on Tuesday.
Players of Hungary celebrate after scoring a goal in the Euro 2024 group game against Scotland in Stuttgart, Germany, June 23, 2024. /CFP
Hungary 1-0 Scotland
A dramatic stoppage-time goal saw Hungary beat Scotland 1-0 to wreck their opponents' hopes of reaching the knockout stage of a major tournament for the first time ever.
Late substitute Kevin Csoboth scored his first international goal in the 10th minute of stoppage time as Hungary secured third place in Group A at Euro 2024, behind Germany and Switzerland.
The game was overshadowed by a serious-looking injury to Barnabas Varga midway through the second half. The Hungary forward was taken to hospital and will likely need surgery after fracturing several bones in his face.
Varga will take no part in the rest of the tournament should Hungary's three points be enough to reach the round of 16 as one of the four best third-place teams – which might not be known until the final round of group games finishes on Wednesday.
"It was terrible. Was a terrible moment to see Barnabás like that. Fortunately, he's in a much better condition ... We cross our fingers for him, that he can return quickly," Hungary midfielder Roland Sallai said.
"Naturally, it was a terrible incident. Of course, we were fighting for him in the remaining 15-20 minutes, and we would have liked to win for him and we were very happy we could achieve that. And yes, this we dedicate to him."
The whole stadium looked on in concern after Varga collided with Scotland goalkeeper Angus Gunn. His teammates held up blankets to shield the player as he was tended to by medical staff, and both sets of fans applauded when Varga was stretchered off after a delay of around 10 minutes.
Scotland were eliminated after finishing last in the group, with just one point from a draw against Switzerland after being humiliated 5-1 by Germany in the Euro 2024 opener.