The pluck of the draw

Germany holds off spirited Swiss attack to get point it needs

- GRAHAM DUNBAR

Germany's Niclas Fuellkrug scores against Switzerland in a Group A Euro 2024 match on Sunday in Frankfurt, Germany

They all jumped for the ball in a frantic late push for the goal that would save Germany from its first loss at the European Championship, against an impressive Switzerland team.

Defender Nico Schlotterbeck leaped up, next to the even more imposing centre-back Antonio Rüdiger, who reached highest of all. In front of them both was substitute Niclas Füllkrug.

The German trio was circled by three Swiss opponents trying to protect a 1-0 lead two minutes into stoppage time. Six pairs of feet off the ground in unison, straining to be the one to head the ball.

It was Füllkrug who won the contest, guiding the ball crossed from another substitute, David Raum, back across Switzerland goalkeeper Yann Sommer into the top corner of the net. The match ended 1-1.