Euro 2016 roundup: France and Switzerland play to scoreless draw
There were several ripped shirts and even a burst ball during France’s 0-0 draw with Switzerland at the European Championship on Sunday in Lille, France.
The scoreless result was good enough for both teams, with the host French taking first place in Group A and the Swiss moving on to the round of 16 in second place.
France twice hit the crossbar as it again squandered numerous chances, but the torn Switzerland shirts and the ball being ripped apart during a challenge will likely end up being the most memorable moments of the match at Stade Pierre Mauroy.
Switzerland midfielder Admir Mehmedi’s shirt was torn in the first half, forcing him to the sidelines for a backup. Teammate Granit Xhaka then had his ripped once in each half.
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Then there was an issue with the official Adidas “Beau Jeu” ball.
As France pushed for a goal in the second half, forward Antoine Griezmann was dribbling when Switzerland midfielder Valon Behrami stepped in to tackle. The two converged on the ball and it burst, with Behrami picking up the deflated leather and showing it to Slovenian referee Damir Skomina.
Just like in its previous games against Romania and Albania, France failed to turn pressure into goals.
Paul Pogba hit the crossbar in the first half with a swerving shot from 25 meters and substitute Dimitri Payet did the same in the 75th minute with a superb volley.
The Swiss threatened mainly on the break, using the pace of 19-year-old striker Breel Embolo, but France looked more likely to score as Payet went wide with another hard shot from outside the penalty area late in the match.
In the other Group A match, Albania beat Romania, 1-0, in Lyon, France, to finish in third place with three points.
Albania will have to wait until the group stage of Euro 2016 has been completed before it finds out whether it will be one of the four third-place teams to make it through to the round of 16.
Armando Sadiku scored the sole goal in the match in the 43rd minute. It was the first goal Albania has scored in an international tournament. Ledian Memushaj picked out Sadiku drifting at the far post with a well-placed cross that the striker coolly nodded back over goalkeeper Ciprian Tatarusanu, who had left his line.
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After going without a goal in two hard-fought losses to Switzerland and France, Albania struck to its defensive approach in the match against Romania.
Romania failed to produce many chances, its best effort coming in the 76th minute when substitute Florin Andone hit the crossbar with a ferocious strike. Otherwise, Albania buckled down at the back while Sadiku continued to trouble Romania’s defense.
Albania’s players celebrated the historic victory with Italian coach Giovanni De Biasi after the final whistle, while the team’s large contingent of fans cheered wildly at the Stade de Lyon.
Romania was eliminated after only earning one point in its three group matches.
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