Fabian Schar played on despite breaking nose in Switzerland’s Euro 2024 draw against Scotland

Fabian Schar played on despite breaking nose in Switzerland’s Euro 2024 draw against Scotland
By Colin Millar
Jun 20, 2024

Switzerland defender Fabian Schar suffered a broken nose during his nation’s European Championship match against Scotland on Wednesday night.

The 32-year-old suffered the broken nose in a clash with Scotland’s Anthony Ralston in the 19th minute of the match, which ended 1-1.

The Newcastle United defender played the full 90 minutes of the match despite carrying the injury, which saw Switzerland maintain second spot in Group A going into the final round of matches on Sunday.

“My nose is broken,” Schar told Swiss broadcaster Blue Sport after the match.

Schar suffered the broken nose in a challenge with Scotland's Ralston (Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
Schar suffered the broken nose in a challenge with Scotland’s Ralston (Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

“I will feel it more tomorrow. It was an intense game. That brought out my passion a little. That’s part of it. It’s fun too.”

Schar has started both of Switzerland’s games at Euro 2024 and has been a virtual ever-present for Newcastle in recent seasons, starting 71 of the club’s 76 Premier League matches across the last two campaigns.

Schar played the full game against Scotland and is likely to play against Germany (Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Schar played the full game against Scotland and is likely to play against Germany (Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Switzerland conclude their group stage campaign against tournament hosts Germany on Sunday and are in a strong position to advance to the round-of-16 stage.

Murat Yakin’s side will qualify with a top-two finish in the group while the best four of the six third-placed group teams will advance to the knockouts.

Schar is the second player to suffer a broken nose in the tournament after Kylian Mbappe against Austria in France’s opening match of the tournament.

go-deeper

GO DEEPER

The Briefing: Scotland 1 Switzerland - Shaqiri's stunner, own goal confusion, Tierney's agony

(Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images)

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Colin Millar

Colin Millar is a Staff Writer for The Athletic. Prior to joining The Athletic, Colin was European Football writer at Mirror Football. From Belfast, he is the author of The Frying Pan of Spain: Sevilla vs Real Betis, Spain’s Hottest Football Rivalry, and he can be found on Twitter/X: @Millar_Colin Follow Colin on Twitter @Millar_Colin