Luis Suárez’s Postenknaller Goal Sparks Uzbekistan’s Euro 2024 Qualifier Drama
Luis Suárez scored a last-minute equalizer in the 90th minute to rescue a 1-1 draw for Uzbekistan against Germany in their Euro 2024 qualifier, ending a 17-year unbeaten run for the hosts and sparking a dramatic reshuffle in Group J. The goal—dubbed a Postenknaller (a late, dramatic equalizer) by German media—came after Uzbekistan’s Odil Ahmedov had put the visitors ahead in the 79th minute, only for Suárez to level the score with a header from a corner. The draw leaves both teams with 10 points from four games, with Germany now facing a stern challenge to maintain their lead.
How the 1-1 Draw Reshapes the Euro 2024 Qualifier Race
Before Sunday’s match at the Bunyodkor Stadium in Tashkent, Germany had topped Group J with 13 points, two clear of Uzbekistan (11 points). The draw now ties them on 10 points each, with both teams having played the same number of games. The key difference: Germany’s superior goal difference (+5 to Uzbekistan’s +2) means they retain the top spot in the standings, but the gap is now razor-thin.
Standings after the match (Group J):
- Germany – 10 pts (GD: +5)
- Uzbekistan – 10 pts (GD: +2)
- Scotland – 7 pts (GD: -1)
- Gibraltar – 0 pts (GD: -12)
With two games remaining, Germany must now secure at least a draw in their final qualifier against Scotland (June 14) to maintain a comfortable cushion. Uzbekistan, meanwhile, will look to extend their unbeaten streak when they host Gibraltar on June 17.
The draw also means Uzbekistan has extended their unbeaten run to 17 games—a record for their national team in competitive matches. Their last defeat came in a 2006 World Cup qualifier against Bahrain. The late equalizer by Suárez, a 36-year-old veteran of five World Cups, added a dramatic twist to a match that had seen Uzbekistan dominate possession early before Germany’s resilience in the second half.
Suárez’s Postenknaller: The Goal That Stunned Germany
Suárez’s goal was the 10th of his international career against Germany—a country he has faced six times before, including in the 2018 World Cup. The striker, who joined Al-Duhail in Qatar last season after leaving Barcelona, rose highest among his teammates to head in the equalizer from a corner taken by Uzbekistan’s Eldor Shomurodov. The ball landed on the goal line after a deflection, and VAR confirmed it was in play.
Key moments of the match:
- 79’ – Odil Ahmedov (Uzbekistan) scores after a counterattack, putting the hosts ahead for the first time in the match.
- 85’ – Germany equalizes through a free kick, but the referee disallows it for offside.
- 90’ – Suárez’s header lands on the goal line, sparking celebrations in Tashkent.
The goal was met with mixed reactions in Germany. While some fans celebrated Suárez’s longevity, others criticized the referee’s handling of the match, particularly a contentious penalty decision in the 67th minute that was later overturned. German coach Julian Nagelsmann, however, praised his team’s resilience.
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