Euro 2016 | France enter final on the back of Griezmann brace
Hosts France defeated Germany in the second semifinal of the Euros today at Paris to set up a clash with Portugal for the title of European champions. Antoine Griezmann scored a last minute penalty in the first half, and tapped in a second 28 minutes later to set up the win over the World champions.
Germany: Neuer, Kimmich, Boateng, Howedes, Hector, Can, Schweinsteiger, Ozil, Kroos, Draxler, Muller.
France: Lloris, Sagna, Koscielny, Umtiti, Evra, Pogba, Matuidi, Sissoko, Griezmann, Payet, Giroud.
Germany dominate - completely
France started on the offensive on the night, although their corner in the 3rd minute was eventually dealt with by Germany effectively. Griezmann was at the center of everything, and the forward almost managed a goal weaving through the German defence on a one-two with Matuidi. But his right-footed shot towards the right bottom of the goal was blocked by Neuer.
Germany then took over almost on a whim as they held the ball in the midfield and sent threatening raids down both flanks. In the 12th minute, Emre Can put through a pass to Muller, but the forward who has been off-color throughout the Euros, could effect only a benign stab at the ball in the end. Within two minutes, Lloris was tested further, this time by Can, whose kick towards the left bottom elicited an athletic save from the French goalie.
Germany threatened to only increase their dominance as the half progressed. Schweinsteiger, the German skipper, was leading from the front, and in the 23rd minute was rewarded with a free-kick close to the box, but the resultant kick was comfortably stopped by Lloris. Just two minutes later, Lloris was again called into service as he tipped Schweinsteiger's 25-yard curling effort that came dangerously close to the cross-bar.
In the 32nd minute, France's last line was again put to the test by Kimmich's delivery into the box. But Muller once again missed his header, and the ball traveled to Drazler who as well messed up his chance.
France sneak through right at the bell
Germany were dominating the half – they had 64% possession and twice as many shots as France had managed. With just the final touch missing, it appeared only a matter of time. The German side's lack of an attacker with the requisite speed was glaring – in the 39th minute, Muller received the ball on the right at 40 yards, but his lack of pace resulted in him loosing an innocuous shot at the French goal that was easily saved.
France finally created a chance with Giroud clean through on goal, but the striker's lack of pace left Howedes enough time to track back and make a brilliant challenge right when Giroud was about to take his shot.
Finally, it was Schweinsteiger, the hero all along, who suddenly turned villain. Off France's corner in the 45th minute, the German skipper's outstretched right arm caught the ball off a deflection from Evra. Griezmann stepped up to take the penalty and made no mistake in slotting it into the left after sending Neuer to the right. 1-0. Despite completely dominating the half, Germany now had a goal to catch up to.
Griezmann strikes again
The second half started in a fashion similar to the first – France dominated possession early on before Germany caught up and pushed them back into their half. France were in fact content to give up possession after the initial part and just attack on the counter. Ozil and Kroos were finding the passes, but the finish was still lacking as France packed bodies in the final third and clogged Ozil's passing lanes.
Finally, France struck again. Pogba, on the left side of the penalty area, did an elaborate one-two dance move in front of Kimmich, fooled him for a split-second, moved towards the endline and sent a cross on. The ball was palmed away by Neuer only to fall kindly to Griezmann. Right man at the right time. The forward calmly tapped it in to the middle of the goal between a perplexed Neuer's legs to almost seal France's win.
© GettyGermany persevere without success
Schweinsteiger's ageing legs were replaced by Sane's soon after the second gaol, and he scored almost immediately. In the 77th minute, the ball fell to him after a scramble in the Frech box, however, his prod went just wide of goal. Five minutes later, Germany have another chance, Howedes' header off Kroos' cross sails just above the cross bar - it just is not Germany's night. The game was up, and Germany's attempt to add some respectability to the scoreline as well failed - in the 94th minute, Muller and Kimmich send a joint header, but Lloris appeared out of nowhere to deflect it.
Finally, France were through with a wonderful display of counter-attacking to win 2-0. The hosts will now play the final at home against Portugal on Sunday.
