Switzerland narrowly miss out on a big win against Germany. Thanks to the 1-1 draw, however, coach Murat Yakin's team at least secured qualification for the round of 16 - as group runners-up.
Niclas Füllkrug hits the Swiss heart with his header. The prestigious victory had been within reach. Murat Yakin had almost outplayed his fellow coach Julian Nagelsmann. But then the substitute BVB striker equalized in the 92nd minute. As a result, not only the victory against the "big neighbors" but also the group win vanished at the last second on this Sunday evening in Frankfurt.
In sporting terms, the 1:1 draw is no drama, but Switzerland are still in the last 16 as group runners-up. And the draw against the European Championship hosts and one of the tournament favorites was also a strong signal for the upcoming knockout phase. In the end, the Swiss received a well-deserved round of applause from their many fans.
Ndoye finally rewards himself
The Swiss had long held out hope thanks to a goal in the 28th minute. Dan Ndoye, of all people, proved that sometimes all it takes is a good move. Until then, the Swiss had hardly appeared in front of goalkeeper Manuel Neuer. Fabian Rieder, who had been preferred to Ruben Vargas and Xherdan Shaqiri, launched Remo Freuler, who passed half-high into the middle, where Ndoye - barely offside - tucked the ball into the net from close range.
The fact that the 23-year-old scored, making him the second-youngest Swiss European Championship goalscorer after Johan Vonlanthen, can be described as both surprising and logical. Surprising, because the Bologna legionnaire, who is not considered a goalscorer at his club either (one goal in 32 league games), had previously stood out as a chance killer. He had missed several good opportunities, especially against Scotland.
The goal was logical because Ndoye has been the most conspicuous Swiss player at this European Championship so far and has repeatedly generated a goal threat with his speed and dribbling. Against Germany, his strongest group opponents, he made up for what he had missed - and almost doubled his tally shortly afterwards. His shot just over two minutes later went just wide of the goal.
Widmer suspended
As surprising as the lead was for Switzerland, the Germans had not really generated much goal threat up to that point. In the 17th minute, however, the Swiss needed the necessary (video) luck to avoid falling behind. Robert Andrich took a shot from outside the penalty area, the ball bounced directly in front of goalkeeper Yann Sommer and ended up in the net. Because Michel Aebischer had been fouled while clearing the ball, the goal was rescinded after a review.
Apart from that, the highly praised offense around Jamal Musials and Florian Wirtz repeatedly bit at the Swiss defense. Even in the second half, with a new team, coach Julian Nagelsmann's side were unable to find a way past the passionate Swiss defense until shortly before the end. Until that header in the 92nd minute.
Also bitter: Silvan Widmer was yellow-carded in the 81st minute and will miss Switzerland in the round of 16. This will take place next Saturday in Berlin (18:00). Their opponents will be the runners-up in Group B. The Swiss national team will find out on Monday whether this will be Italy (currently 3 points), Albania or Croatia (1 each).
Switzerland
Germany
- Dan Ndoye - 1:0 (28.)
- (90.+2.) 1:1 - Niclas Füllkrug
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Liveticker
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Liveticker closed
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84.
Vargas scores to make it 2:0
Ruben Vargas completes a Swiss counter-attack wonderfully and scores to make it 2:0, but the goal does not count. Vargas started from an offside position.
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28.
Dan Ndoye gives Switzerland the lead
Switzerland lead 1:0 - Dan Ndoye slots the ball into the net after Remo Freuler's assist.
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0.
Shaqiri only sits on the bench
Murat Yakin makes two changes to the team compared to the Scotland game. Breel Embolo is allowed to start for the first time at this European Championship, but Xherdan Shaqiri is initially just a spectator. Embolo is joined in the starting eleven by Fabian Rieder, who takes the place of Ruben Vargas.
It had become apparent in recent days that Embolo could start against Germany. The 27-year-old striker, who had missed almost the entire season through injury, came on as a substitute in the 74th minute against Hungary and in the 60th minute against Scotland. He now appears to be fit enough for the starting eleven.
It is also Fabian Rieder's first European Championship match in the starting eleven after two partial appearances so far. Rieder and Embolo, together with Dan Ndoye, who impressed in the first two games with his speed but less with his finishing, form the attack. Xherdan Shaqiri and Ruben Vargas, who suffered a minor injury against Scotland, are on the bench for the time being.
Otherwise, Yakin is relying on the players who started in the first two games. With Silvan Widmer, Ricardo Rodriguez and Remo Freuler, the Swiss coach will also field three of the four players with a yellow card. If they receive a further caution, they would be suspended for the round of 16.
For Switzerland, a win means first place in the group, a draw second. In the event of a defeat, second place could still be in jeopardy if Scotland win clearly against Hungary.
The Swiss line-up: Sommer; Schär, Akanji, Rodriguez; Widmer, Freuler, Xhaka, Aebischer; Ndoye, Rieder; Embolo.
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Screenshot: uefa.com -
0.
Nagelsmann relies on his regular personnel
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0.
Big fan survey ahead of the clash
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0.
Fassnacht, Magath, Fernandes - the votes ahead of the Germany clash
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90.+5.End of 2nd half
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90.+2.Goal for Germany, 1:1 through Niclas Füllkrug (David Raum)
Niclas Füllkrug
Striker
Assist: David Raum
Defender
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81.Yellow card Switzerland
Silvan Widmer
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76.Substitution in Germany
Niclas Füllkrug
Striker
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76.Substitution out Germany
Jamal Musiala
Midfielder
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76.Substitution in Germany
Leroy Sané
Midfielder
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76.Substitution out Germany
Florian Wirtz
Midfielder
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66.Yellow card Switzerland
Granit Xhaka
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65.Substitution in Germany
Maximilian Beier
Striker
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65.Substitution out Germany
Robert Andrich
Midfielder
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65.Substitution in Switzerland
Zeki Amdouni
Striker
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65.Substitution out Switzerland
Dan Ndoye
Striker
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65.Substitution in Switzerland
Kwadwo Duah
Striker
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65.Substitution out Switzerland
Breel Embolo
Striker
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65.Substitution in Switzerland
Ruben Vargas
Striker
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65.Substitution out Switzerland
Fabian Rieder
Striker
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62.Substitution in Germany
David Raum
Defender
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62.Substitution out Germany
Maximilian Mittelstädt
Defender
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61.Substitution in Germany
Nico Schlotterbeck
Defender
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61.Substitution out Germany
Jonathan Tah
Defender
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46.Kick-off 2nd half
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45.+2.End of 1st half
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38.Yellow card Germany
Jonathan Tah
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28.Goal for Switzerland, 1:0 through Dan Ndoye (Remo Freuler)
Dan Ndoye
Striker
Assist: Remo Freuler
Midfielder
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25.Yellow card Switzerland
Dan Ndoye
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1.Start of the match
