FRANKFURT: Niclas Fuellkrug’s stoppage-time header saved Germany’s 1-1 draw with Switzerland on Sunday in Frankfurt, putting the Euro hosts top of Group A.
The Swiss quickly took the lead, and Dan Ndoye scored from close range in the 28th minute and stunned the hosts.
Germany took a number of risks late in the match in hopes of equalizing, and experienced striker Fuellkrug excelled on the pitch to head home in the second minute of stoppage time.
The result means Switzerland, not Germany, face a tougher task in the round of 16, which involves a potential meeting with title holders Italy or 2018 World Cup finalists Croatia.
It looks like the Germans will face second place in England’s Group C, which is currently Denmark.
Before the match, the hosts were optimistic that they had emerged from the crisis after almost a decade of disappointments at major tournaments, and two exits from the World Cup group stage guaranteed elimination in the Euro round of 16.
Led by an experienced midfield including captains Ilkay Gundogan and Toni Kroos, the Germans defeated Scotland and Hungary in their first two games at the Euros, giving the hosts hope of making a deep run in the tournament.
However, the hosts were surprised by Switzerland’s energy and did not create many clear-cut chances against the stubborn Swiss defense.
Despite Fuellkrug’s late rescue, Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann will have a lot to think about after a poor performance.
Despite having already qualified for the round of 16, Nagelsmann decided to play in the same starting lineup for the third match in a row.
It was a decision he may regret as defender Jonathan Tah was shown a yellow card, his second decision in the group stage, which meant he would miss Germany’s first cup match.
Pressed by an optimistic and biased goal, the Germans started brightly, converting several chances after launching long balls over the Swiss midfield press.
Robert Andrich seemed to have given Germany the lead in the 16th minute when Yann Sommer converted a long-range shot that passed the goalkeeper and into the net.
However, the goal was allowed and the VAR system ruled that Jamal Musiała had committed a foul in the lead.
The Swiss found himself on the defensive early on, but took the lead in the 28th minute, taking advantage of sloppy play by Musiala and Joshua Kimmich.
Musiała lost the ball in his own half, sending Switzerland to a break. Kimmich won but then dropped the ball, allowing Remo Freuler to find Ndoye, who stuck out his foot and slotted the ball into the net.
It was the first time the hosts had trailed in the tournament and the goal seemed to rattle the Germans, who were increasingly hesitant to finish the first half.
Germany went on the attack in the second half after Nagelsmann made several offensive changes, but the hosts had few clear-cut chances against a Swiss team that stubbornly defended its lead.
Man City defender Manuel Akanji stretched out to block Kimmich with 20 minutes remaining.
With 14 minutes left, Nagelsmann came off the bench for Fuellkrug and the Borussia Dortmund striker came on after a cross from David Raum, putting Germany back at the top of the group.