Euro 2024: Echoes of the final match of Group A
Exciting and dramatic is what happened in the last match of group A. Late goals have changed the positions on the rankings dramatically.
The German team struggled to top the table.
With the high spirits after 2 consecutive victories, fans envisioned a 3rd victory for the home team of this year's tournament. Especially when the German team still fielded the strongest squad even though they were sure to get a ticket to the round of 16.
However, Dan Ndoye's goal in the 28th minute poured cold water on the home team. And if they had been luckier, coach Murat Yakin's team could have widened the gap after creating dangerous opportunities to end the match early.
Fortunately for the German team, substitute striker Niclas Füllkrug scored in the 90+2 minute to help the home team get 1 point. This late goal also helped the home team reclaim the top spot from the Swiss team and both teams will be the teams that are sure to advance in Group A.
In the remaining match, Kevin Csoboth's goal in the 90+10 minute helped the Hungarian team gain 3 points to move up to 3rd place in Group A, thereby keeping the hope of winning a ticket to the round of 16.
Goalkeepers Day
The final match of Group A also witnessed an excellent performance from the goalkeepers. That goalkeeper Manuel Neuer brilliantly blocked a hammer shot from midfielder Granit Xhaka.
It was Swiss goalkeeper Yann Sommer who frustrated the German strikers and almost brought victory to his team.
Same with colleagues Angus Gunn and Péter Gulácsi, who also made some fine saves and came in between Scotland and Hungary.
It can be said that Euro 2024 is witnessing impressive performances from goalkeepers. And that makes this year's tournament even more attractive and unpredictable.
Barnabás Varga's Horrific Collision
In the 67th minute, Varga had a terrible collision with Scotland goalkeeper Angus Gunn. This injury reminded many fans of the situation when Eriksen collapsed on the field at EURO 2020.
However, it took quite a while for the medical staff to enter the field to give first aid to striker Barnabás Varga. So much so that Dominik Szoboszlai had to rush in with the medical team to carry a stretcher.
Fortunately, striker Barnabás Varga has been confirmed to be in a stable condition. However, the striker has suffered several facial fractures and will undergo surgery.
Hopefully, the 29-year-old striker will quickly recover to continue playing with the Hungarian team.