LENS: Fabian Schaer’s early goal earned Switzerland a 1-0 victory over 10-man Albania on Saturday to move joint top of Euro 2016 Group ‘A’.

Defender Schaer headed home Xherdan Shaqiri’s corner in the fifth minute to give his team the three points a day after hosts France beat Romania 2-1.

Despite dominating most of the game, Switzerland failed to increase their lead after Albania captain Lorik Cana was sent off in the 37th minute following a second yellow card at Stade Bollaert-Delelis.

Goalkeeper Yann Sommer had to come to Switzerland’s rescue in the closing minutes, with his fine save preventing an equalizer from the unmarked Shkelzen Gashi — his former team-mate from Switzerland’s Under-21 team.

Switzerland had the best of the early exchanges and regained the initiative after Albania lost Cana.

The captain handled the ball to deny Switzerland a goal-scoring opportunity, 14 minutes after being punished by referee Carlos Velasco Carballo for a late tackle on Blerim Dzemaili.

Switzerland made Albania pay for a shaky start in their first match at a major tournament.

The Swiss missed a series of scoring chances, with goalkeeper Etrit Berisha denying striker Haris Seferovic on four occasions and Dzemaili hitting the post from a free kick.

Cana will miss Albania’s next game against France on Wednesday in Marseille. Albania play Romania in Paris, also on Wednesday.

Published in Dawn, June 12th, 2016