2016 Uefa European Championship (Euro 2016)

Germany off to winning start as they look to add Euro 2016 title to World Cup

Mustafi header and late Schweinsteiger effort put paid to Ukraine

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Germany's defender Shkodran Mustafi celebrates AFP PHOTO / MARTIN BUREAU

Published: 5:04am, 13 Jun 2016Updated: 5:04am, 13 Jun 2016

World champions Germany were bailed out by goalkeeper Manuel Neuer as goals by Shkodran Mustafi and Bastian Schweinsteiger secured a 2-0 win over Ukraine in their Euro 2016 opener in Lille.

Valencia defender Mustafi powered home the opener from Toni Kroos’s free-kick after just 19 minutes of Sunday’s game.

And Schweinsteiger wrapped up the win in injury time, moments after coming off the bench.

However, Germany were also thankful to captain for the night Neuer as he made stops from Yevhen Konoplyanka and Yevhen Khacheridi, while Jerome Boateng made a spectacular clearance off his own line.

Next up for Germany is a heated battle for top spot in Group C with neighbours Poland on Thursday in Paris after the Poles overcame Northern Ireland 1-0 thanks to Arkadiusz Milik’s strike earlier on Sunday.

Germany's defender Shkodran Mustafi (2nd-R) jumps to head the ball between Ukraine's midfielder Taras Stepanenko (C) and Ukraine's defender Yevhen Khacheridi (R) during the Euro 2016 group C football match between Germany and Ukraine at the Stade Pierre Mauroy in Villeneuve-d'Ascq near Lille on June 12, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / PHILIPPE HUGUEN

Germany off to winning start as they look to add Euro 2016 title to World Cup

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Mustafi header and late Schweinsteiger effort put paid to Ukraine

Mustafi header and late Schweinsteiger effort put paid to Ukraine