Fabien Schaer's powerful header gave Switzerland a narrow 1-0 win over 10-man Albania on the second day of the European Championship finals on Saturday. The Group A match, in the spotlight with brothers Granit and Taulant Xhaka playing for opposing sides, was decided by the sending-off of Albania captain Lorik Cana. The Albanian underdogs were continually scrambling to get back into the game while Switzerland, who now occupy top two spots with France, never took firm control.
After just five minutes, Hoffenheim centre back Schaer rose above the Albanian defence to head in from a corner by Stoke City's Xherdan Shaqiri. The 1.86 metre (6ft 2in) defender makes a habit of scoring for the national side, with five goals in 19 appearances now. "It hasn't been always easy for me recently," Schaer said after.