Switzerland managed to force a draw with Germany on the last matchday of Group A Euro 2024. One additional point was enough to take Switzerland to the round of 16, qualifying to accompany Germany.
Monday, 24 June 2024, the last matchday of Group A will be played simultaneously at 02.00 WIB. This time, the Switzerland vs Germany meeting took place at the Frankfurt Arena. The match is predicted to be fierce.
Germany has actually been confirmed to qualify for the knockout phase, so it is suspected that they will make a number of squad rotations. Switzerland itself must perform optimally if it wants to secure a ticket to qualify without depending on the results of other teams.
Just like the previous matches, Germany played very dominantly, but it was Switzerland who caused a surprise first through Dan Ndoye’s goal in the 28th minute. Switzerland’s superiority clearly surprised Germany.
After that, Germany tried everything to chase the equalizer. Julian Nagelsmann made a number of substitutions, but they didn’t produce results.
It was only at the end of the match, in the 90+2 minute, that Niclas Fullkrug emerged as a hero by scoring the equalizer. Final score 1-1. Both teams share points. Germany and Switzerland are certain to qualify for the last 16 of the 2024 European Cup.
Granit Xhaka deserves to be named the best player, aka man of the match, Switzerland vs Germany.
Xhaka’s game was not very visible in this match. However, it was clear that he played an important role in Switzerland’s overall solid movement and play.
Xhaka was officially selected as man of the match, namely the choice of the UEFA observer panel. This 31 year old midfielder performed very well to match the toughness of the German midfield.
Xhaka recorded 53 touches of the ball, which is actually not enough. However, this is precisely what proves that his movement without the ball is very good for helping the team.
Interesting Notes on the Switzerland vs Germany Duel
After losing 16 of their 18 games against Germany between 1959 and 2008 (D2), Switzerland have since gone unbeaten in their last four games against Germany (W1 D3).
Niclas Fullkrug – who equalized with Germany’s 18th and final try of the match – has scored 13 goals in just 19 international appearances. In fact, Fullkrug has scored four goals as a substitute in international tournaments (Euro/World Cup), more than any other European player.
There have been two goals scored at Euro 2024 where the goalscorer and assist provider played for the same club. Both combinations consist of two Bologna players for Switzerland: Michel Aebischer/Remo Freuler vs Hungary and Dan Ndoye/Remo Freuler vs Germany today.
At the age of 23 years and 242 days, Dan Ndoye – who scored his first international goal in his 14th match – became Switzerland’s second youngest goalscorer at the Euros after Johan Vonlanthen (18 years and 141 days against France in 2004).
German midfielder Toni Kroos completed 323 passes in the group stage at Euro 2024. That’s the joint record (since 1980) by a player in the group stage in one edition (Kroos also completed 323 passes in the group stage at Euro 2016).
Germany became the first team to field the same starting XI for all three group stage matches at one Euro tournament since Iceland and Spain did so in 2016.
Manuel Neuer made his 18th appearance for Germany at the Euros. He overtook Gianluigi Buffon (17) to become the goalkeeper with the most appearances in the history of the tournament.
