Swiss follow France to last 16, Albania upsets Romania

The French may have gone through the group stage unbeaten, but France coach Didier Deschamps said that his side would have to up their game for the knockout stages. But was impressive in the 0-0 draw against Switzerland.

Deschamps was satisfied to have made it through to the next phase but admitted he was not overly impressed with the subpar showing from his side in Lille.

When the goalkeeper is man of the match it shows we had chances. “He knows exactly what it takes to win, as he has been there before and we know how precious his advice is, and how much more so that will be as the tournament goes on”. You can always criticise players; I know the players are well aware that we can improve in a number of different areas.

“There was a time when people said we weren’t very good defensively but at least we’ve stabilised that – without compromising on our forward threat”.

“In a short space of time we have resolved things defensively, from set pieces”, he said.

“We’ve got a good defence and it’s not just the back four”, Payet said.

“It was better in Marseille but it was annoying”.

The coach now has nearly a week to prepare for their last 16 game in Lyon on Sunday against a third-placed team.

German sportswear giants adidas were left red faced after a shot by Antoine Griezmann led to the £105 tournament ball bursting but Shaqiri saw the amusing side after seeing four of his team-mates being forced to change shirts.

“We’re feeling better and better”.

Relatively quiet displays in this tournament have led to some snide and unfair criticism that he is still little more than a player capable of Youtube or Vine moments in Serie A, but his manager specifically praised the “life” that Pogba gave to the team.

Deschamps said that Sissoko had been fielded because he wanted to rest Matuidi as France were already qualified for the last 16 before kickoff. “I think the way we played was pretty pleasing, even during tough times when we had to come back a bit. We faded a bit, but we kept our heads up”, a bullish Petkovic told reporters. We had three games in nine days, which is why I put in some fresh legs.

“Because there is not a big gap between the teams, it’s hard to score three or more goals”.

It was a particularly bad game for kit suppliers, with the ball bursting in the second half and Switzerland having to provide three new shirts for its players after the originals ripped.