Euro 2016

[monks data]

European Championship | Group Stage

Jun 19, 2016 at 8pm UK

Switzerland Switzerland
0-0
France

Switzerland through to last-16 with France draw

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 19 June 2016

Switzerland book their spot in the last-16 stage of Euro 2016 after drawing 0-0 with already-qualified France in Lille on Sunday night.

Switzerland have booked their spot in the last-16 stage of Euro 2016 after drawing 0-0 with already-qualified France in Lille on Sunday night.

France entered the match needing a point to top Group A after collecting six points from their first two matches, while a draw for Switzerland would have ensured that they finished second behind the hosts.

The Blues had the better of the opportunities during what was an end-to-end contest, but Switzerland impressed in the second period as they finished above third-placed Albania, who now face a wait to see whether they will also advance into the first knockout round.

Antoine Griezmann and Fabian Schaer in action during the Euro 2016 Group A match between Switzerland and France on June 19, 2016 © AFP

Having already secured their spot in the next round, France's XI showed five changes as Yohan Cabaye, Moussa Sissoko and Andre-Pierre Gignac were all given chances to impress, while Paul Pogba and Antoine Griezmann also returned.

It was Switzerland, however, that had the first real chance. The opportunity came in the eighth minute when Fabian Schar met a corner from the right, but Pogba just managed to clear off the line under pressure from Breel Embolo.

France's first shot on target arrived in the 12th minute when Pogba sent a curling effort towards the top corner, but Swiss goalkeeper Yann Sommer managed to push the ball over via the crossbar.

Sommer's first save from Pogba was a little shaky, but he produced a top-drawer, one-handed stop moments later after the Juventus midfielder had smashed the ball towards the bottom corner.

Pogba, having been dropped for the Albania match, was intent on making a point and came close to registering once again in the 18th minute when he sent a rasping effort towards the top corner, but he hit the crossbar for a second time.

Switzerland were more than in the contest, however, and Admir Mehmedi cut inside Bacary Sagna before releasing a strike towards goal in the 21st minute, but his effort was high of Hugo Lloris's net.

Embolo was next to come close for the team in red after collecting a smart flick from Blerim Dzemaili inside the French box, but the reported Manchester United target had his effort deflected wide of the post.

Opportunities dried up in the latter stages of the half, however, as Switzerland seemingly got to grips with France's movement in the final third and the two teams entered the half-time break on level terms.

Moussa Sissoko in action during the Euro 2016 Group A match between Switzerland and France on June 19, 2016 © Getty Images

It was Switzerland that made the better start to the second period, but the first attempt on target came from France in the 53rd minute when Gignac sent a low effort into the arms of Sommer.

France again came close in the 57th minute after Griezmann played a one-two with Pogba before looking to pick out the top corner, but Sommer was on hand to make another smart save and keep the score goalless.

The biggest cheer of the match came in the 63rd minute when new French hero Dimitri Payet, who was rested from the start, replaced Kingsley Coman in the final third of the field.

A draw was good enough for France to top Group A and Switzerland to qualify in second, however, and the pace of the match dropped considerably as the final 15 minutes approached in Lille.

Payet came close to scoring an absolute stunner in the 76th minute when Sissoko powered away from a host of red shirts before delivering onto the West Ham United attacker's boot, but his volley smashed against the crossbar.

Payet then sent another effort just wide of the post 10 minutes from time and 0-0 was how it finished in Lille as France dropped their first points of the tournament.

France will play their last-16 clash against the third-place team from either Group C, D or E on Sunday afternoon in Lyon, while Switzerland will be in action against the runner-up of Group C, likely to be Poland, one day earlier.