World champions Germany beat Ukraine in their Euro opener

Germany's midfielder Mesut Oezil (L) challenges Ukraine's defender Artem Fedetskiy (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

Shkodran Mustafi and Bastian Schweinsteiger were on target as world champions Germany defeated Ukraine 2-0 in their Euro 2016 Group C opener on Sunday.

The Germans, eyeing their fourth Euro title and their first since 1996, opened the scoring when central defender Mustafi, starting in place of the injured Mats Hummels, rose high to head in a pinpoint Toni Kroos free kick in the 19th minute.

Joachim Loew's men, who also lost central defender Antonio Ruediger to injury earlier this week, were far from convincing and had keeper Manuel Neuer to thank for producing a string of superb one-handed saves in the first half.

Substitute Schweinsteiger then made sure of victory when he scored from close range late on.