A tough start to Euro 2016 qualifying has continued for Switzerland courtesy of a 1-0 defeat to Slovenia on Thursday night.

Switzerland quickly took control of the match in the early stages, but were denied an opening goal when Samir Handanovic managed to get a vital hand on Granit Xhaka's powerful strike.

Bayern Munich winger Xherdan Shaqiri, perhaps unsurprisingly, was proving to be the key man for the visitors, and he was inches away from finding the bottom corner with a swerving effort from long range.

Slovenia offered very little going forward in the first half, and were left breathing another sigh of relief before the break when Haris Seferovic's shot struck the post.

The game continued in a similar pattern after the break as Switzerland stepped up their efforts to breach a stubborn Slovenian defence.

Seferovic was guilty of wasting another good chance just after the hour mark when he sent a wayward effort wide of the target from inside a congested box.

An unexpected twist would arrive in the 79th minute when Johan Djourou was adjudged to have fouled Kevin Kampi inside the box, allowing Milvoje Novakovic to power home from 12 yards.

There would be no way back for Switzerland as the hosts held on for all three points and condemned their highly-ranked opponents to a second straight loss at the beginning of their Group E campaign.