Group A ends with wild flurry as Germany nabs 1st, Hungary ousts Scotland
Late goals decided Group A at Euro 2024 on Sunday.
Niclas Fullkrug sent Germany through to the knockout round as winner of Group A with a 92nd-minute equalizer against Switzerland, and Kevin Csoboth's 100th-minute dagger gave Hungary a chance to qualify as one of the tournament's best third-place finishers at Scotland's expense.
| # | Nation | GD | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Germany | +6 | 7 |
| 2 | Switzerland | +2 | 5 |
| 3 | Hungary | -3 | 3 |
| 4 | Scotland | -5 | 1 |
Germany entered the match assured of a place in the knockout round but secured first with a 1-1 draw in Frankfurt.
"That was a nice moment for us as a team, that could be decisive," Fullkrug said. "That changes the situation. Now we're facing the supposedly easier opponent. Let's see who it will be."
Hungary and Scotland seemed destined for a goalless draw that would've all but eliminated both sides. Then Scotland botched a corner kick, allowing Hungary to run free on the counter. Csoboth, who hit the post earlier in second-half stoppage time, finished it off to give Hungary a 1-0 win.
Germany will face one of England, Denmark, Slovenia, or Serbia in the round of 16. Switzerland will meet Italy, Albania, or Croatia.
If Hungary qualifies, it will face either Portugal or the winner of Group E.
Robert Andrich thought he'd given Germany the lead in the 16th minute with a strike from distance, but the VAR ruled Jamal Musiala had committed a foul in the penalty area.
Germany trailed for the first time at the Euros after a rare midfield turnover set up Dan Ndoye for his first-ever international goal.
Fullkurg again came off the bench to head in his second goal of the tournament.
But the host nation will be without star defender Jonathan Tah in the round of 16. The 28-year-old is suspended after drawing his second yellow card of the group stage for a high foot on Switzerland's Breel Embolo.
"Tah's suspension is a heavy burden, but we will make up for it," German veteran Toni Kroos said.
In Stuttgart, a scary scene in the 74th minute interrupted a tense match between Hungary and Scotland. Forward Barnabas Varga was taken off on a stretcher behind privacy blankets after appearing to take a blow to the head. Varga was transported to hospital and is conscious, according to The Guardian's Jonathan Wilson.
After the game, Hungary celebrated as a group with Varga's No. 19 shirt.