Dimitri Payet |
DimitriPayet's spectacular late winner gave
hosts France victory over Romania in the opening match of Euro 2016 amid a huge
security operation at the Stade de France.
On
an emotional evening at the same venue where suicide bombers struck in the
November attacks that killed 130 people across the city, Payet ensured the game
ended on a high note with a sensational 30-yard strike.
France,
who triumphed in their last two major tournaments on home soil - Euro '84 and
the 1998 World Cup - are favourites to win this time too.
But
after hitting the post early on through an Antoine Griezmann header, they
struggled to find any fluency against a resolute Romania side, who also created
good chances.
Les
Bleus' star-studded attack had to wait until the 58th minute to make the
breakthrough, when Olivier Giroud headed home Payet's cross.
Romania
responded within seven minutes, with BogdanStancu scoring from the spot after
Patrice Evra clipped NicolaeStanciu inside the area.
A
draw looked the most likely outcome until Payet capped a brilliant individual
display with his wonder goal in the 89th minute.
The
West Ham star apart, the hosts' performance was unconvincing but, for the whole
of the France, the result mattered far more.
A
win was the perfect start to a month of football which, it is hoped, can help
to bring together a fractured country that will remain under a state of
emergency for the duration of the competition.
The
scale of the police presence outside the Stade de France on Friday was obvious,
with two separate checkpoints where fans were searched and tickets checked, but
the day passed without any serious security incidents in Paris.
Inside
the stadium, the mood was set by a colourful opening ceremony followed by a
stirring rendition of 'La Marseillaise' before kick-off but the game itself was
far less entertaining.
Paul
Pogba was billed as the star of this France team but it was Payet who was the
outstanding performer against Romania.
This
game will be remembered for his winning goal but he was also behind almost all
of Frances's best moments going forward.
Before
setting up Giroud's goal, he put chances on a plate for the Arsenal striker and
Griezmann but both missed the target.
He
made no such mistake himself but was overwhelmed with emotion soon afterwards,
and was substituted in tears.
"At
the start of the season, a lot of people would have found it hard to believe I
would be here," said Payet after the game.
"I
have got here by working hard. When I saw the stadium tonight I knew I was
going to have fun."
Credit
must go to Romania, who showed why they had the best defensive record in
qualifying, but some France players were worryingly flat.
Pogba
had a volley well saved by CiprianTatarusanu but failed to get his foot on the
ball in midfield - and his side lacked a player who could dictate play from
deep.
N'GoloKante
put in the kind of all-action display we are used to seeing from him for
Leicester but, one swinging crossfield ball apart, did not open Romania up.
On
top of the lack of balance in midfield, France were worryingly open at the
back.
Their
makeshift central defensive partnership of Adil Rami and Laurent Koscielny has
played only two games together before this tournament and it showed.
Hugo
Lloris rescued them with a brilliant early save from Stancu but better sides
than Romania will be more ruthless in front of goal.
France manager Didier Deschamps said
recently that "every time he touches the ball, something happens" and
the West Ham star proved him right.
He
was behind all of Les Bleus' best moments and looked like the only player
capable of opening up Romania.
France
manager Didier Deschamps: "It was a tricky match. Romania made it
complicated - for the first 20-25 minutes we had a tough time of it. The
opening match of a tournament is like playing in a cup final and we were a bit
timid.
"But I put four attacking players on
to go for the win and I am delighted for the players that they got it."
Former
France striker Thierry Henry on BBC Radio 5 live: "DimitriPayet thought he
was going to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. He was involved in every qualifying
game but they took that away from him.
"Tonight
you saw a man who was hurt. He was saying with that performance 'you didn't
take me to the World Cup and I am going to show you'. He wanted every single
ball. You can't win a game by yourself. but that strike... oh my gosh.
"No
one is going to take what is happening to him now away from him. He showed
tremendous desire. He was the one that drove the team forward."
Statistics
you need to know
Romania
have never won their opening game at a European Championship finals tournament
(D3 L2).
Romania
conceded the same number of goals in this match (2) as they did in their entire
Euro 2016 qualification campaign (2).
Olivier Giroud has now scored eight goals
in his last six starts for France.
There
has now been a penalty given in three of the last four European Championship
finals opening games (2004, 2012 & 2016), with all of them coming against
the host nation.
Kingsley Coman became the youngest player
to play for France in a major international tournament (aged 19 years 362
days).
The
other teams in Group A, Albania and Switzerland, meet in Lens on Saturday - the
same day England play Russia and Wales take on Slovakia in Group B.
France
are back in action when they play Albania in Marseille on Wednesday evening.
Romania stay in Paris, and take on Switzerland at Parc des Princes earlier the
same day.
No comments:
Post a Comment