Fabian Schar early goal hands Switzerland a 1-0 victory over Albanian in the second Group A match of the Euro 2016.
Albania got off to a cagey start inviting pressure from the Swiss early in the opening stages of the game.
Two minutes into the match Xherdan Shaqiri looked bright and slotted a the ball through to Admir Mehmedi on the right and his driven cross flashes across the six-yard box before the ball deflected out for a corner.
Switzerland broke the deadlock in the 5th minute when defender Fabian Schar rises the highest to head the ball into the Albanian net, after Albanian goalkeeper Marco Wolfli came off his line and doesn’t get anything on the ball, handing Schar with a simple finish.
Schar receives the first yellow card of the match for a alleged foul on Ermir Lenjani in the 13th minute.
Switzerland had a great chance to double their lead in the 16th minute, but Haris Seferovic scuffs his effort into arms of Wolfli.
Albania’s best best chance of the first-half came in the 27th minute when Odise Roshi bursts into the Swiss area and laid the ball off to Xhaka, but the midfielder lashes his effort over the bar.
From the corner Albania wipes the ball across the face of goal, forcing Amir Abrashi to clear the ball away to safety.
Albania should be level matters in the 31st minute as Soderlund splits the Swiss defence to play Armando Sadiku through on goal, but Yann Sommer came quick off his line to keep the score 1-0.
Six minutes later Albania captain Lorik Cana receives a second yellow card for a blatant handball, which prevents Seferovic running though on goal. The referee had no choice but to give him his marching orders.
From the free-kick Switzerland come within inches of making it 2-0 as Blerim Dzemaili sends the resulting free-kick crashing against the frame of the goal.
Two minutes before the half-time break Albania had their backs against the walls as Seferovic is found in the area and lashes a fierce effort on goal which goalkeeper Etrit Berisha does well to keep out.
Heading into the half-time interval the score remained 1-0 in favour of the Swiss.
No changes from either side to heading into the second-half with both sides attacking early.
Albania headed into the second-half a man light as their forwards lose possession on the edge of the Swiss area. Switzerland countered quick but their final ball is found, allowing Albania to clear with ease.
In the 50th minute Johan Djourou hesitates in dealing with a long ball and Sadiku comes within inches of poking the ball past Sommer, who saves the ball just in time.
The Swiss responded fast when Berisha comes to Albania’s rescue once again, keeping Seferovic’s near-post drive out with a great save.
In the 62nd minute a change from either side as Taulant Xhaka makes way for Ergis Kace for Albania and Admir Mehmedi is replaced by the highly-rated youngster Breel Embolo.
Four minutes later Albania through bodies forward on the attack. Embolo wins possession back for the Swiss and releases Seferovic through on goal with an inch-perfect pass. But Berisha wins the duel, racing off his line to block the striker’s effort.
Albania should be level matter in the 77th minute when a reverse ball puts Sadiku into space in the six-yard box but lashes his effort into the side-netting.
Minutes later Ermir Lenjani bursts into the Swiss area to get on the end of a long ball and he appears to been knocked off the ball by Stephan Lichtsteiner, but the referee remains unmoved.
Three minute from time, substitute Shkelzen Gashi is played through on goal and he only has the ‘keeper to beat. He scoops the ball high but Sommer produces a fine stop to preserve Switzerland’s lead.
In the final seconds of the match Albania win a free-kick and take it short but it turns out to be a poor decision as the following long ball into the area is comfortably gathered by Sommer, as Switzerland hang on to win 1-0 to claim all three points in Group A.
