If not for German super-sub Niclas Fullkrug’s late header in injury time, Switzerland was moments away from beating the host nation Sunday to finish Group A in pole position at Euro 2024.
However, Fullkrug’s late strike meant that Switzerland finished second in the group to advance to the knockout stages.
The 1-1 result also gave the Swiss the impressive feat of advancing to the knockout stages in six consecutive major international tournaments.
For perspective, even powerhouse teams such as Italy, England, Belgium and Spain can’t boast of such a streak over the last decade.
If not for penalty shootouts, Switzerland has lost only one of its last 13 Euro matches (W4, D8). After Sunday’s game, Switzerland coach Murat Yakin praised his squad for not withering under the pressure of over 50,000 screaming fans at the Waldstadion.
“I’m happy we’re unbeaten,” he told reporters. It wasn’t enough to get the first spot but it’s positive. We’re a team that works hard, with the right team spirit. The system works, the strategy works, players who come on do well. I need to congratulate my players. It was a tactical play. We fought, we ran a lot, but against such an opponent it’s difficult. But I’m happy about how we played, it was a huge challenge.”
The Swiss will hope for a deeper run in these Euros after advancing past the Round of 16 only once in the previous five major tournaments.
After losing to Argentina at the 2014 World Cup, they endured a heartbreaking 5-4 loss (via penalties) to Poland at the 2016 Euros. Then, at the 2018 World Cup, they were on the wrong side of a deflected goal from Sweden’s Emil Forsberg that sent them home.
At the 2020 Euros, lady luck shined upon them when Kylian Mbappe missed a penalty kick that helped them advance until they lost to Spain in the quarter-finals.
Finally, at the 2022 World Cup, they were obliterated 6-1 by Portugal in the Round of 16.