Switzerland 0-0 France: Both teams reach last 16 of Euro 2016 after Lille stalemate

France and Switzerland progressed to the last 16 of Euro 2016 from Group A in first and second place respectively after a goalless draw in Lille.

Paul Pogba had the better of the chances in the first half, forcing Yann Sommer into a fine save from inside the area before hitting the crossbar from range.

Second-half substitute Dimitri Payet, who has two goals to his name already in the tournament, nearly grabbed a winner with 15 minutes remaining, seeing his superb volley from an angle smash off the crossbar.

The result means France will play one of the third-place sides from Group C, D or E, while Switzerland will play the runner-up of Group C, which includes Germany, Poland and Northern Ireland.

In Group A's other game, Romania were eliminated from the competition after a 1-0 defeat by Albania, who are on three points and stand a chance of reaching the last 16 as one of the four best third-place sides.

With France assured of a last 16 place before the game, Didier Deschamps made five changes, reintroducing Antoine Griezmann and Pogba, while Yohan Cabaye, Moussa Sissoko and Andre-Pierre Gignac were also given a chance.

On a slippery pitch in Lille, not trained on by either side in the build-up to the game, France had the better of the first-half chances.

But it was the Swiss who pushed early on as Pogba's miscued clearance from a corner fell goalwards, only for the ball to hit Johan Djourou three yards out before France cleared.

Pogba did show his attacking prowess at the other end, coming close three times in quick succession. First, his curling effort from 25 yards was knocked onto the top of the bar after an unconvincing save by Sommer, before the Swiss stopper was at his best to tip away Pogba's fierce left-footed drive from an angle.

Then, as Pogba picked the ball up from distance and composed himself, the Juventus midfielder's speculative 30-yard effort clipped the top of the crossbar and went clear.

The Swiss had more of the ball in the opening stages of the second half, but France again had more of the clear-cut openings.

Griezmann, who had played a fine one-two with Gignac, could not wrap his weaker right foot around the ball from 18 yards as Sommer tipped his effort over the bar, before Payet was introduced to a rapturous reception from the home crowd.

The West Ham midfielder didn't take long to get involved, and nearly scored a superb winner in the latter stages, hitting the crossbar from the left angle with a fine, side-footed volley from Sissoko's deep cross.

Switzerland had a good appeal for a penalty turned down in injury time after Blerim Dzemaili was brought down by Bacary Sagna, but Slovenian referee Damir Skomina waved play on to leave the game goalless.

France can now rest before their last 16 clash in Lyon on June 26, while Switzerland will be back in action in Saint Etienne on June 25.