EURO 2020

EURO 2020 Half-time: Switzerland 0-1 Spain

EURO 2020 Half-time: Switzerland 0-1 Spain. Peep! Michael Oliver draws the first half to a close. Spain have been in the ascendency for most of the half and have restricted Switzerland to a handful of off-target efforts. They lead courtesy of a Denis Zakiria own goal, the Swiss midfielder unwittingly deflecting a Jordi Alba shot from distance past his own goalkeeper.

A Mexican Wave is doing the rounds of the stands in Saint Petersburg, which is perhaps indicative of the fairly poor quality of the game taking place on the pitch. In the absence of much of a show being put on by the players of both sides, the crowd has decided to provide its own amusement.

A decent cross from the left from Sarabia is a mite too close to Yann Sommer, who claims it comfortably. Pedri is holding the smnall of his back and grimacing after shipping a sly knee from Widmar. The ball comes in from the corner and Silvan Widmar leaps to meet it with his head at the far post. Ferran Torres jumps with him and prevents him from steering his effort on target.

Another corner for Switzerland after their most promnising attack of the game. It broke down following Vargas’s reluctance to cross after cutting in from the right. He opted for one pass too many instead. Morata trips Akanji as both players chase the ball down the inside right channel. Free-kick for Switzerland.

Another Switzerland corner. Shaqiri over-hits his delivery and referee Michael Oliver awards a goal-kick after the ball goes out of play by the far corner flag following a tussle between Pedri and Zubar. I thought it went out off Pedri but I could be mistaken. Switzerland corner. On the edge of the six-yard box, Manuel Akanji leaps and gets his head to the ball but is unable to keep his effort down or on target.

Shaqiri plays the ball wide for Steven Zuber, who is unable to get a cross into the penalty area but does win his side a throw-in deep in Spanish territory. Shaqiri tries to play Haris Seferovic in behind the Spanish defence but his pass is intercepted. Pablo Sarabia goes down holding the outside of his foot after being tackled robustly by Ricardo Rodriguez.

Second half awaits.