Florian Wirtz Masterclass Leads Germany to 4-3 Comeback Thriller Over Switzerland in World Cup Warm-Up

Florian Wirtz scores twice and assists two more in a stunning 4-3 comeback win for Germany against Switzerland ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 28, 2026, 1:37 PM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Reuters

A Tale of Two Halves in Basel

In a high-octane encounter that served as a critical litmus test for both nations, Germany and Switzerland played out a seven-goal thriller that kept the home crowd on the edge of their seats. Despite Germany dominating early possession, it was the Swiss who struck first in the 17th minute. Exploiting a lapse in concentration by German center-back Nico Schlotterbeck, Dan Ndoye clinical finished to put the hosts ahead. Germany responded through the aerial prowess of Jonathan Tah, who leveled the scoring with a powerful header, only for Breel Embolo to restore the Swiss lead just before the break after the German defense was caught napping.

The Wirtz Awakening

The narrative of the match shifted entirely around Florian Wirtz. Having faced scrutiny during his debut season at Liverpool, Wirtz looked like a player transformed in the national colors. On the stroke of halftime, he provided a sublime assist for Serge Gnabry, whose delicate chip ensured the teams went into the locker rooms level at 2-2. In the second half, Wirtz moved from provider to protagonist, giving Germany their first lead of the night just past the hour mark with a spectacular 18-meter curled effort that bypassed a diving Gregor Kobel.

Late Drama and the Curled Winner

The resilience of the Swiss side was on full display in the closing stages. In the 82nd minute, Joel Monteiro showcased individual brilliance, beating two German defenders before drilling a low shot home to make it 3-3. However, the parity lasted only four minutes. Wirtz, receiving the ball at the edge of the box, unleashed another trademark curled strike. The ball nestled into the top corner, leaving Kobel "frozen on the spot" and securing the win for the visitors. The performance solidified Wirtz's status as the creative heartbeat of this German squad heading into the summer.