Euro 2016: France and Switzerland play out 0-0 draw, both qualify for Round of 16

And it ends 0-0. No late twist. France and Switzerland are through to the knockout stages. 

90

Interestingly, this performance from France was better than the last two matches which they won. As it stand, both France and Switzerland will go home happy.

88

Payet's free kick hits the wall. Not this time?

85

It's 85 minutes and still 0-0. France like to score late but if they score today, it will mean three games in a row. 

76

Well that certainly woke me up as Payet smashed the crossbar. Sissoko charged down the right before crossing it for Payet who was unlucky to hit the bar. That was  direct approach to say the least. 

71

This game has now all the energy of a snail returning home from a funeral. Or the energy levels of the author of this post at 2 AM IST in an empty office. 

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Meanwhile need we remind France that in case they lose this, they could end up facing some rather tough opponents including Germany and Spain in the next two rounds! 

Meanwhile in the other Group A match, Albania are still leading 1-0 and on course to qualify.  

67

Patience and perseverence has been France's motto throughout the match. A bit of fraternity and equality in the match is preventing this match from taking off. 

65

Shaquiri has been impressive since he moved inside. That him taking another corner.  

63 New French hero Dimitri Payet comes on for France, replacing Conman who hasn’t really impressed. 

54 Switzerland look more likely to score in the second half so far. France you expect have been told not to expend too much energy. 

47

Shaqiri has been spotted. The Stoke man tried to do it all his own as he galloped down the right wing but it turned out to be a corner. 

And the second half kicks off. Some more action please. 

Meanwhile in the other game between Romania and Albania Albania are winning 1-0 which means the group would end with France and Switzerland in the 1^st two while Albania will be third.  

And it ends 0-0 in the first half but not for lack of trying. Pogba and co have tried hard but there seems to be some sort of unwritten rule in this tournament that demands that goals be scored during injury time. 

44

Pogba found Gignac with a long ball but he was too deep down the left pocket to bring it back in. 

35

Griezmann’s corner is cleared again. Switzerland have actually had more possession but the French have looked more menacing. This game is really crying out for a Henry. And what’s going on between Xhaka and Pogba. That’s another torn shirt for Xhaka. The French are going through the shirts like a rat through Swiss cheese (so sorry).  Again the same question wondering about how many shirts can be torn?  

30

Pogba has been prevalent in the first 30 minutes and Shaqiri ‘The Magical Dwarf’ has been virtually invisible. Not the best magic trick one would say.  

27
 

Solid tackle from Yohan Cabaye. 

25

Ouch that’s a yellow card for Rami. Rami decided he’s take a high acrobatic kick but ended up kicking Mehmedi in the head. Dangerous I’d say. France have had 8 attempts so far to Switzerland’s three.  

22

France take another corner and that's a corner. Xhaka is not happy. FYI Xhaka is going to Arsenal next season and he looks like the lovechild of Cristiano Ronaldo and a mean MMA fighter. Good news for Arsenal fans.

16 

Pogba is inching closer to a goal. Picking up the ball in midfield, he shoots from distance with menace only to rattle the post. 

13

Pogba just took a delightful shot from distance. He again looked likely to score again as he took another shot that was saved. He looks like a man on a mission today. Another corner for France. 

10

Mehmedi’s shirt is torn and he has been forced to change it. Luckily they have a duplicate or do they have duplicates for every single player? What if he tears the second one as well? How many shirts can one get torn up before he is in trouble?

 7

Lichsteiner galloped into the French area hoping to reach and overhit pass but that was easily cleared by Rami. 

5

Laurent Koscielny just put his head in a very dangerous place but he escapes unscathed. 

3

The Swiss appear quite determined to top the group and for that they need to win this match.  

And so it kicks off.

1

The French are playing as the ‘away side’ today and are wearing white. France have a corner. 

It's time for La Marseillaise and here is still my favourite version of France's national anthem. 

​Things are really heating up in the stands. That's Swiss national Blerim Dzemaili's wife Erjona Sulejman by the way. 

Given the backdrop in which this tournament is being played, this has been an amazing show of solidarity from a lot of fans who've stood up together. 

Here's a detailed explanation of how to qualify to the knockout stages. 

Basically, France top the group if they draw which will mean easier opposition in the upcoming groups. On the other hand, if Switzerland draw they will qualify, and top the group if they win. In case Romania win and Switzerland lose, then it goes to the goal difference while Albania out. On the other hand, if Albania win, Romania are definitely out. Confused, don’t be.

Here’s a detailed explanation about who will qualify and how they will qualify. 

So basically here are how things stand right now in Group A.