Goalless in Lille as France and Switzerland qualify

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France group

France and Switzerland tied 0-0 in Lille in their final match in Group A.

The hosts will finish first and the Swiss second in the group which also contains Albania and Romania.

France had already qualified going into this game in Lille and a point would see the Swiss through too.

Inside eight minutes, the Swiss had the first chance but Djourou on the line appeared to block Schaer’s effort, while Pogba appeared to be shuffling it over his own line. Three minutes later, there was action at the other end.

Pogba forced two saves from Yann Sommer, the second one quite spectacular. Pogba was on fire but his next drive hits the woodwork.

The only sour moments were an ugly high boot there from France’s Adi Rami which caused Admir Mehmedi to need treatment, and France’s Kingsley Coman waving an imaginary card to try and get a Swiss opponent booked.

News that Albania had scored against Romania just before half time further buoyed but possibly also relaxed the Swiss.

France turned it on in patches during the second half. Pogba again was the initiator, finding a splendid pass to Antonie Griezmann. He played a one-two with Liga MX Tigres striker Gignac before having a drive tipped over by Sommer.

Coman left in 63′ for Dmitri Payet who had starred in the competition already and Haris Seferovic replaced Breel Embolo on the Swiss front line in 74′. But it was Payet who came closest to making an impact. He should have opened the scoring when set up by Moussa Sissoko but his sidefoot hit the underside of the bar at the end of a breathtaking move.

Switzerland had a very good penalty call in the last minute. Bacary Sagna clearly tugged on Blerim Džemaili’s shirt but the referee did not call it.

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About Author

Steve is the founder and owner of Prost Amerika. He covered the expansion of MLS soccer in Cascadia at first hand. As Editor in Chief of soccerly.com, he was accredited at the 2014 World Cup Final. He is the former President of the North American Soccer Reporters Association.

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