Miguel Delaney: Could Germany be left with one regret after ‘the real Euro 2024 final’ against reinvented Spain?
Niclas Fullkrug’s goal against Switzerland has put the hosts on a collision course with La Roja, yet Julian Nagelsmann’s side retained an aura by avoiding defeat to set up what many believe is ‘the real final’
Germany’s Niclas Fullkrug celebrates his defining group-stage goal against Switzerland. Picture: Emin Sansar/Anadolu via Getty Images
It is something that Julian Nagelsmann doesn’t even want to be mentioned around the German camp, but it’s now impossible not to consider. Would the hosts have been better off had Niclas Fullkrug not scored that 92nd-minute equaliser against Switzerland in the final group game? Might that have been the moment on which the entire tournament turned?
A 1-0 defeat would have put Germany second in their group and on the more forgiving side of the draw, to probably make them the biggest force there. It could have been a clear route to the semi-final.
