The hosts looked anything but Euro 2016 favourites as they struggled past a side ranked 42nd in the world but, just as Albania looked set to register their first ever point at an global tournament, substitute Griezmann came to France’s rescue with less than a minute to go.
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Antoine Griezmann broke the deadlock with a 90th-minute header before Dimitri Payet added a second deep into injury time. Dimitri Payet and André-Pierre Gignac, other former Vélodrome heroes, revelled in the same acclaim, and it was fitting that Payet’s second goal in as many UEFA EURO 2016 games capped off the night.
After Olivier Giroud’s header hit the upright, it looked like the Albanians were going to hold on for a draw, until the hosts took the lead in the 89th minute.
The French have won their last seven games on home soil in the European Championships.
“It was tricky for everyone, Albania played with heart and spirit, they tried to score, they countered very quickly, but in the second half we were more aggressive”, he said. “We had to be patient”.
“In the second we had a lot of chances but while it was goalless that was a good result for Albania”. Often players who come off the bench can make the difference.
Meanwhile, Albania, who lost their opening game against Switzerland, have to beat Romania in their next match in order to stand any chance of qualifying. It was Romanian’s first point of the campaign, and came courtesy of a Bogdan Stancu penalty. They now need just a draw from their last game against France to confirm their place in the knockout stages.
N’Golo Kante (L) of France vies with Ledian Memushaj of Albania during the Euro 2016 Group A soccer match between France and Albania in Marseille, France, June 15, 2016.
Seeing as France have already qualified for the knockout stages, maybe Didier Deschamps could draft in Lucas Digne to see how he fairs.
Deschamps has limited options – Griezmann, after all, is not a natural center forward and Karim Benzema was left out of the squad.
It may not have been the same rousing display we saw last Friday at the Stade de France against Romania, but it was just as important.
The Swiss have several stars, but failed to trouble England in qualifying. “But they have lacked cutting edge in past appearances at major tournaments”. They will be no pushovers.
The rank tournament outsiders.
In the first game, Coman became the youngest French player to ever play in a major global competition.
FourFourTwo magazine is less charitable. He spent a season at Sunderland and had four years at Lazio. “That was the case in the opening match and again here”.
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The hosts will now meet Switzerland on Sunday in a match that will decide who finishes top of Group A.
