They all jumped for the ball in a frantic late push for the goal that would save Germany from its first loss at the European Championship, against an impressive Switzerland team.
Defender Nico Schlotterbeck leaped up, next to the even more imposing center-back Antonio Rüdiger, who reached highest of all. In front of them both was substitute Niclas Füllkrug.
The German trio was circled by three Swiss opponents trying to protect a 1-0 lead two minutes into stoppage time. Six pairs of feet off the ground in unison, straining to be the one to head the ball.
It was Füllkrug who won the contest, guiding the ball crossed from another substitute David Raum back across Switzerland goalkeeper Yann Sommer into the top corner of the net. The match 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. “Who doesn’t dare to risk, doesn’t get to draw.”
Germany had already advanced to the Round of 16 before kickoff on Sunday, but a draw in Frankfurt felt like a win in the circumstances and kept the momentum of impressive wins against Scotland and Hungary.
“When you see how the Germans celebrated their goal that says everything,” said Switzerland captain Granit Xhaka, named player 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 now goes to Dortmund for a Round of 16 game Saturday against the runner-up in Group C. That opponent can be any of the four teams – England, Slovenia, Denmark or Serbia – playing their final round of Group C games on Tuesday.
Nagelsmann acknowledged Germany’s opponent might not like having two fewer days of rest, though added: “We have to prepare for four teams, they only have to prepare for one team.”
Switzerland heads to the Olympic Stadium in Berlin to open the round of 16 on Saturday against the runner-up in Group B, likely Italy or Croatia. They meet Monday in their decisive group game.
Coach Murat Yakin suggested Switzerland had earned the right to make a higher-ranked opponent concerned about his unbeaten team.
“I think we have a certain standing which we worked hard for. We‘re on a good path,” Yakin said, “without a defeat, with a very good style of play. We like being the dark horse.”
Switzerland’s goal was made in Bologna, the upstart Italian club that has qualified for its first Champions League entry next season.
Ndoye timed his run to meet a floated pass across the goalmouth from his Bologna teammate Remo Freuler. The attack began when Fabian Rieder, making his first start since the 2022 World Cup, won the ball in the German half and then fed Freuler.
A video review had denied Germany taking the lead in the 17th. Robert Andrich’s long-range shot bounced up and over the dive of Sommer, but the VAR team alerted Italian referee Daniele Orsato to an earlier foul in the goalmouth by Jamal Musiala.
The much-criticized Waldstadion playing surface behaved better Sunday and the roof stayed closed to protect it though no more rain is forecast for at least five days.
The turf cut up during both previous Euro 2024 games in Frankfurt. It has seemed not to bed in properly since being laid in November after the stadium hosted two NFL games.
Frankfurt will host two more games, finishing with a Round of 16 match that will include Group F winner Portugal perhaps facing Hungary, which faces a three-day wait to learn its fate.
HUNGARY 1, SCOTLAND
A dramatic stoppage-time goal saw Hungary beat Scotland, 1-0, in Stuttgart, Germany, to wreck its opponent’s hopes of reaching the knockout stage of a major tournament for the first time in its history.
Late substitute Kevin Csoboth scored his first international goal in the 10th minute of stoppage time as Hungary secured third spot in Group A, behind first-place Germany and Switzerland.
The match was overshadowed by a serious-looking injury to Barnabás Varga midway through the second half. The Hungary forward was taken to hospital and will likely need an operation 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 at Euro 2024 as one of the four best third-place teams – which it might not know until Wednesday when the final round of group games finishes.
“It was terrible. Was a terrible moment to see Barnabás like that,” Hungary midfielder Roland Sallai said. “Fortunately, he’s in a much better condition … We cross our fingers for him, that he can return quickly.
“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 was eliminated after finishing last in the group, with just one point from a draw against Switzerland. It was humiliated 5-1 by Germany in the Euro 2024 opener.
The Scottish players were furious as they had penalty appeals waved away late on when Stuart Armstrong was sent crashing to the ground by Willi Orbán but Argentinian referee Facundo Tello played on.
“100% penalty. Somebody somewhere has to explain to me why that’s not a penalty,” Scotland coach Steve Clarke said. “It’s 100%. And like I say, it’s a one-goal game, we get a penalty, can be a different night. I’ve got other words, but I’m not going to use them.
“European competition might have been better to have a European referee, but we had European VAR. And maybe the referee didn’t see the challenge clearly on the pitch so what’s the purpose of the VAR if they’re not going to come in on something like that. It was a penalty.”
Despite both teams needing the win in Stuttgart, chances were few and far between.
Scotland was dominating possession but not doing much with it and struggling to break Hungary down.
But Hungary started to get a foothold in the match and almost took the lead four minutes from the break, although the flag might have gone up for offside had Orbán’s header – from a clever Dominik Szoboszlai free kick – not hit the crossbar and gone out for a goal kick.
Scotland ended the half with 64% possession but no attempts on goal whatsoever. Hungary had five.
Clarke’s side finally had a shot in the 53rd but Ché Adams curled his effort way over the bar.
Csoboth was brought on in the 86th minute and he almost had an immediate impact as he hit the far post from a tight angle.
Both goalkeepers had to make saves in a chaotic 10 minutes of stoppage time before Csoboth snatched the win.
Csoboth started the counterattack and, with Scotland outnumbered, picked out an unmarked Roland Sallai before sprinting into the area to receive the return pass and slot into the near corner, sparking wild celebrations among the Hungary players and fans.
The Scotland players fell to the ground in disappointment.
“Tonight and for a long time we have to get over this,” Scotland captain Andy Robertson told the BBC. “It’s a tough one. It’s devastating. All the lads are absolutely gutted. I will say thank you to all the supporters; sorry for letting you all down.”