PARIS: Poland held Germany to the first 0-0 draw of Euro 2016 on Thursday as the world champions struggled to break down dogged opponents who will be satisfied with a point.

The result means both sides, who won their opening games, need a point in their final Group C matches against Ukraine and Northern Ireland respectively on Tuesday to guarantee reaching the last 16.

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Ukraine, who have yet to get a point, cannot progress and will finish bottom of the section.

Kamil Grosicki's cross found Arkadiusz Milik, who appeared to only have to guide the ball into the net, but he barely connected and it went agonisingly wide in front of the passionate Polish supporters.

Seconds later Poland keeper Lukasz Fabianski held on to a Goetze shot in the box, the first on target in the game.

Poland began to take the ascendancy and had the better chances with Milik shooting wide after striker Robert Lewandowski had tapped a free-kick to him after 57 minutes.

The Bayern Munich forward then saw his club colleague Boateng block a shot destined for the goal.

With the game finally opening up, Ozil's shot was tipped over the bar spectacularly by Fabianski in the 68th. The midfielder then turned provider, putting in substitute Andre Schuerrle who shot straight at Fabianski.

But, despite a string of half chances in the final 20 minutes, neither side looked like finding the breakthrough.