Switzerland took a giant step to making the knock-out stages of the European Championships for the first time in their history, after drawing 1-1 with Romania at the Parc des Princes in Paris.

Bogdan Stancu gave Romania the lead from the penalty spot on 18 minutes, but Admir Mehmedi netted a deserved equaliser for the Swiss on 56 minutes to give Vladimir Petkovic's side four points from two games.

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Romania, who were unlucky not to secure a point in their first match against hosts France on Friday, were content to mass men behind the ball and then catch their opponents on the break through the pace of wingers Gabriel Torje and Alexandru Chipciu.

And it work a dream in the first half, as they took the lead through Stancu's second penalty in two matches, after referee Sergey Karasev pointed to the spot following Stephan Lichsteiner's tug on Chipciu's shirt.

But, as Angel Iordanescu's side tired in the second half, Switzerland began to grow in confidence, and deservedly levelled on 56 minutes as Mehmedi drilled home following an unconvincing Vlad Chiriches' clearance from Ricardo Rodriguez's corner.

Switzerland are now almost certainly through to the knock-out stages with a game - against France in Lille on Sunday - to spare.

But Romania will probably need to beat Albania in their final group match in Lyon on Sunday to join the Swiss in the last 16.

Switzerland's midfielder Blerim Dzemaili (L) reacts next to Romania's defender Steliano Filip during the Euro 2016 group A football match between Romania and Switzerland at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris on June 15, 2016. Image credit: AFP

TALKING POINT: Are Romania the most cynical team in Euro 2016?

Switzerland dominated possession in the Parc des Princes against a side that only conceded two goals during the ten qualifiers, but Romania responded by trying to break up the game and stop Vladimir Petkovic's side gaining any fluency and momentum.

The nadir came midway through the first half, as both Andrei Prepelita and Chipciu went into the book within a minute following cynical checks on Xhaka and Lichsteiner.

It's not sustainable over a tournament – suspensions will see to that – but in a one-off match it proved surprisingly effective.

Coach Iordanescu would probably have taken a scenario before the tournament started where a win against Albania in the final group match would take his side through.

They just might not have many players left if they do, though..

MAN OF THE MATCH

Breel Embolo (Switzerland) The Basel forward has already attracted the attention of some of the leading Premier League sides, and his introduction from the bench gave Switzerland energy and sharpness up front after 64 minutes of the toothless Haris Seferovic.

The 19-year-old gave Romania captain Vlad Chiriches a torrid time, though the Napoli defender deserves credit for keeping him away from a clear sight of goal. But, if Embolo continues this form into the latter stages of the tournament, Switzerland could maybe cause a shock in the knockout stages.

Romania's defender Vlad Chiriches (R) vies for the ball against Switzerland's forward Breel Embolo during the Euro 2016 group A football match between Romania and Switzerland at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris on June 15, 2016. Image credit: AFP

KEY MOMENTS

17' -PENALTY! Penalty for Romania, as Lichsteiner pulls back Chipciu in the area and referee Sergey Karasev points to the spot!

Romania's forward Bogdan Stancu (R) celebrates after scoring a penalty during the Euro 2016 group A football match between Romania and Switzerland at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris on June 15, 2016 Image credit: AFP

18' – GOAL! Romania 1-0 Switzerland. Stancu sends Sommer the wrong way from the spot for his second penalty in two matches!

20' – SAVE! Tatarusanu tips over Schar's chest down and shot from the right hand edge of the area

27' - HITS THE BAR! Sapunaru hits the far post after the ball drops to him off Schar from Torje's free-kick from the left.

38' – CHANCE! Dzemaili fails to get a header on target following a cross from the right. The Genoa player seemed to pull out of that initial challenge, perhaps thinking he was going to get clattered?

51' – CHANCE! Djorou almost concedes an own goal as Torje volleys a cross across the six-yard box. Switzerland are able to deal easily with the corner though.

56' – GOAL! Romania 1-1 Switzerland. Mehmedi slams home from the angle and it into the far corner of the goal after Romania make a mess of clearing Rodriguez's corner.

64' - CHANCE! Keseru is unmarked in the box but heads straight at Sommer from close range.

69' – SAVE! Torje tries a snapshot free-kick, following Djorou's foul on Keseru, from 40 yards that has Sommer sprawling.

PLAYER RATINGS

Romania: Tatarusanu 7; Sapunaru 7, Grigore 7, Chiriches 7, Rat 6; Prepelita 5, Pintilii 5, Stancu 6, Torje 7, Chipciu 7; Keseru 6. Subs: Hoban 6, Filip 6, Andone 6.

Switzerland: Sommer 7; Lichsteiner 7, Schar 7, Djourou 7, Rodriguez 6; Behrami 6, Dzemaili 6, G Xhaka 7, Shaqiri 7, Seferovic 5, Mehmedi 7. Subs: Embolo 8, Lamg 7, Tarashaj 6.

Romania's forward Bogdan Stancu (2nd L) celebrates with team mates after scoring a penalty during the Euro 2016 group A football match between Romania and Switzerland at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris on June 15, 2016 Image credit: AFP

KEY STATS

Romania have only won one of their 14 games at the European Championships - the 3-2 victory over England in 2000.

Admir Mehmedi is the first Swiss player to scored at both the World Cup and the Euros.

Bogdan Stancu is only the third player to net 2 or more penalties in a Euro finals tournament, after Denmark's Frank Arnesen in 1984 and Spain's Gaizka Mendieta in 2000).

MATCH IN A TWEET

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