Griezmann’s first-half penalty and a poked effort in the second half secured the win and a place in Sunday’s final against Portugal.
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France’s Antoine Griezmann, center, celebrates with his teammate Olivier Giroud, right, and Moussa Sissoko after scoring his side’s second goal during the Euro 2016 semifinal soccer match between Germany and France, at the Velodrome stadium in Marseille, France, Thursday, July 7, 2016.
“You can’t simply buy time and experience, but [against Portugal] we have the chance to make history within French football”.
“There is nothing like playing in a competition like this for our country”.
There were fears that he would miss the final, which would severely dent Portugal’s hopes of upsetting the hosts at the Stade de France.
Euro 2016 has transcended football and united France during hard times, making captain Hugo Lloris all the more determined to give his compatriots a victory to savour. The Real Madrid defender trained alone on Friday, with Bruno Alves his likely replacement if he fails to recover in time.
After the semi-final Griezmann accepted that it was the French team’s duty to excel at the European Championship to lift the mood of a nation wounded by terrorist attacks and social unrest.
France have no fresh injury concerns or suspensions. Ronaldo has waited 12 years, since Portugal lost to Greece at Euro 2004, for another shot at national glory with every major club honor now gathered. “The (World Cup) quarter-final two years ago was more balanced than this match”.
Germany faced Ukraine, Poland, Northern Ireland, Slovakia and Italy on their way to the semi-finals while France took on Romania, Albania, Switzerland, Republic of Ireland and Iceland on their way into the last four. “The coach (Fernando Santos) has given us this confidence, this spirit”.
Griezmann, who scored plenty of goals to help Atletico advance to the Champions League final, had started the tournament in sluggish fashion and some feared a gruelling season might have taken its toll.
It no longer has an inspirational playmaker like Zinedine Zidane orchestrating attacks, and responds better to how others play, rather than dictating the game.
“Ronaldo can be nearly anonymous in the game, but he still knows that he’s going to have one or two chances to score the goal”.
“There weren’t too many things that went wrong, we were the better team”, said Germany coach Joachim Loew.
Meanwhile, France have a 50 per cent success rate in penalty shoot-outs, having won three of the six they have taken part in.
Now, in 2016, comes that child’s golden moment.
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Ronaldo has now equalled Platini’s record of nine goals in the European Championships. We were unfortunate to concede a penalty a minute before half-time, that was bad luck.
