Saturday 11 June 2016 16:54, UK
Switzerland got their Euro 2016 campaign off to the perfect start with a 1-0 victory over 10-man Albania in Lens on Saturday.
Hoffenheim defender Fabian Schar benefitted from a goalkeeping error from Etrit Berisha to head the Swiss in front on five minutes.
Albania, who are appearing at major tournament for the first time, took their time to settle into the game but their cause was hindered by the dismissal of captain Lorik Cana for two bookable offences on 37 minutes.
Switzerland failed to exploit their man advantage, though, as Albania remained in the game with a valiant defensive display - and they could have snatched a point at the death had Shkelzen Gashi not been thwarted by the impressive Yann Sommer.
But Vladimir Petkovic's men held on to win an opening European Championship game for the first time, a result which moved them level with hosts France at the top of Group A.
It took Switzerland just five minutes to break the deadlock at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis - which will plays host to England's Group B clash with Wales - as Schar beat Berisha to Xherdan Shaqiri's corner, turning the ball into an empty net.
The blunder from the Albanian stopper clearly rattled the Eagles, with Switzerland close to doubling their lead on 16 minutes, only for Haris Seferovic to scuff an effort straight at Berisha.
Cana received the first of his yellow cards on 23 minutes for a reckless challenge on Blerim Dzemaili, but that marked a turn in the game as Albania began to threaten.
First Taulant Xhaka, who lined up against his brother Swiss midfielder Granit, lashed over on 27 minutes before, three minutes later, Armando Sadiku was denied by the on-rushing Sommer.
Albania's resurgence was cut short when Cana was given his marching orders for a deliberate handball, preventing Seferovic from running through on goal.
Dzemaili crashed the resulting free-kick against the woodwork as Switzerland ended the half with a flourish but, crucially, they couldn't add a second.
The Swiss started the second half looking to wrap up the victory but Berisha continued to atone for his first-half error, thwarting Seferovic's near-post drive on 57 minutes before the striker, having been played through by substitute Breel Embolo 10 minutes later, was denied by the inspired stopper again.
After Sadiku lashed a decent chance into the side-netting on 77 minutes, Albania were denied a penalty when referee Carlos Velasco Carballo chose not to penalise Stephan Lichtsteiner's challenge on Ermir Lenjani.
The 10 men then had another gilt-edged chance to snatch an unlikely point when Gashi was played through on goal, but Sommer was a match to the scooped effort, parrying it away as the Swiss kicked off the tournament with three points.
Team line-ups
Albania: Berisha, Hysaj, Mavraj, Cana, Agolli, T Xhaka, Kukeli, Abrashi, Roshi, Lenjani, Sadiku.
Used subs: Gashi, Cikalleshi, Kace.
Switzerland: Sommer, Lichtsteiner, Schar, Djourou, Rodriguez, Behrami, Dzemaili, G Xhaka, Shaqiri, Mehmedi, Seferovic.
Used subs: Embolo, Fernandes, Frei.
Man of the Match: Granit Xhaka.
