Switzerland defeats Albania 1-0 in Group A at EURO 2016 (updated)

Swiss defender Fabian Schar scored an early goal to give Switzerland a 1-0 victory over debutant Albania in the second Group A game of the UEFA EURO 2016 in Lens of France on Saturday.

In the fifth minute, Swiss forward Xherdan Shaqiri whipped the ball from the right corner, met by the Hoffenheim defender Schar who rose above Albania goalkeeper Etrit Berisha to send in the game winner.

Albania's hopes of a first ever win in the tournament suffered a blow when their captain Loric Cana was sent off for a second yellow card in the 14th minute.

With the absence of Cana, Albania were dominated by Switzerland with early pressing and a better possession.

"Today we didn't have a fortunate game when it came to the key incidents," said Albania coach Gianni De Biasi. "We really felt the mental pressure. In the first 20 minutes the side didn't play as I expected."

In the 86th munite, a cross by Albania winger Ermir Lenjani from the left was wasted by the substitute Shkelzen Gashi. He was straight through on goal, only to allow the Swiss goalkeeper Yann Sommer to palm away the shot.

Switzerland coach Vladimir Petkovic said his side "sometimes took two steps back and slowed the tempo too much and weren't the side that we were in the first 20-30 minutes. It is our fault they grew into the game."

Until now, Switzerland achieved three points in Lens and led Group A with France. Albania will miss Cana for the next Group A match against France but still have opportunities in the playoffs. Endit