Euro 2024 Group A Final Matchday Recap
On the third and final day of the UEFA 2024 European Championship Group A matches, they delivered to the fullest. In today’s clashes, Hungary would face Scotland in a battle where Scotland would need all three points to potentially sniff a third-place wildcard spot. On the other hand, hosts Germany would play Switzerland in a top-of-the-group meeting between the two sides. With all on the line, and some question marks heading into the final day for the group, three out of the four teams would await their positioning in the knockout stages.
Euro 2024 Group A Final Matchday Recap
The desperation for all sides would show early and often in both matches, with Germany the only true team to clinch a spot in the next round. The major question in the match would be if Germany would go full throttle, and try to build momentum with their lineup that has won two out of the last two group-stage matches. Julian Nagelsmann would put out the product that was the closest thing to a well-oiled machine to start, but the shock came quickly for the host German side in the first half. After a Robert Andrich goal got called back after VAR for a foul in the box, the score remained 0-0 well into the first half. Against the run of play, Switzerland opened the scoring with a beautifully orchestrated counterattack in the 28th minute of play. Remo Freuler would match onto a loose ball in the German box, and curl a cross in that found the foot of Dan Ndoye, who got the half-step on his defender and slipped one into the roof of the net past Bayern Munich keeper Manuel Neuer. With the consistent pressure from the Germans, Switzerland would hold their line into half, being granted a slight 1-0 advantage heading into the break. If results hold Switzerland will be the victors out of Group A, while Germany would be considered the runner-up.
As for the Scotland and Hungary clash, a first half that had no real highlights or chances developed in Stuttgart. As Hungary was deemed eliminated before this match started, a sense of pride and passion for the country would be the main factor in their play. Despite the thrashing in Scotland's opener, a victory for the potential third-place berth would still be in play with a much-needed victory over the Hungarians. With no chances falling to either team's side, the deadlock of 0-0 was halted at the half.
Crunch Time in Group A
The pressure would constantly build in both of these matches, with a single goal being the deciding factor in both matches. Germany would be the sharers of more possession through the second half, but getting in behind the powerful Swiss defense seemed to be a tall task. With Switzerland playing 11 men behind the ball at almost all times without possession, they were inviting the pressure in from the Germans. In a second frame where Germany was close to dominating, the final touch finally prevailed. It came as late as ever with Niclas Fullkrug getting his head on a cross from David Raum. That equalizer in the 92nd minute of play would earn the well-deserved first place in the group for Germany while crushing Switzerland's dreams of an ultimate upset. The match would end in a 1-1 standstill.
Scotland would know it is a now-or-never situation late in the match, where they would start to stretch the field and look for the country's defining goal in the late stages. Without getting barely any pressure in the final third, shots on target would be hard to come by for Scott McTominay and his squad. Scotland would be pressing for the winner late, and essentially every man was in the final third through the last half hour of play. With many chances in the second half not going the Scottish way, a heartbreaking dream would happen with moments to go. Off of a corner, the Hungarians would see the counter-attack on in the late stages of extra time. Absolute poetry in motion from the Hungarian side, a through ball across the box to perfection from Roland Sallai found Kevin Csoboth, who whistled it into the back of the net in the 100th minute. That would surely send Scotland packing, and the pride of Hungary would relish with jubilation.
What's Next?
With the results from today, Germany would go ahead as Group A winners, while Switzerland would become the runner-up. Germany will now be placed in an already jam-packed side of the bracket with Spain and Portugal booking their tickets in the previous days. Germany will now play the runner-ups in Group C, which can be any of the four teams of England, Denmark, Slovenia, or Serbia. Switzerland will now await to see their matchup, which can surely be the winner of Croatia and Italy, barring an Albanian upset against the giants of football in Spain.
