Giroud talked to the press to revel in an emotional night. We came so close to the final and to then lose in such an unfortunate way is reason enough to have a few days of calm to analyse the match and the tournament.
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Joachim Löw, who deflected questions over his future despite having two years to run on his contract as Germany’s manager, was reluctant to criticise the referee, Nicolas Rizzoli, for awarding a penalty for handball against Bastian Schweinsteiger at the end of the first half.
For Germany, defeat cost it the chance to add the European title to the World Cup it won in 2014.
“He’s been in this situation as a captain with me, and I can assure you he’s controlling everything perfectly behind closed doors”, Jacquet said of Deschamps in an interview with Federation Internationale de Football Association. Benedikt Hoewedes’ sluggish pass to right back Joshua Kimmich was cut out by Paul Pogba and Neuer could only palm away the midfielder’s cross to Griezmann, who finished easily.
Germany desperately pushed forward. One shot even went off the corner of the goal. But France held firm for a famous and thrilling victory.
France now turn their attention to Portugal, and though he stopped short of proclaiming his side as favourites, Deschamps did acknowledge France enter the final with plenty of momentum.
“We suffered but we knocked them out”, said French coach Didier Deschamps after the game in which Germany dominated possession. We have to keep our feet on the ground, there’s still a match to go; we’re going to enjoy tonight but tomorrow we’ll prepare for the final. Underdog Wales failed to penetrate Portugal’s solid defense, and a perfectly placed set piece header by Cristiano Ronaldo sent it home after a fantastic tournament. Now the country appears to be behind them again.
“I’ve always believed in my players”. The ones I chose to form this squad have repaid me handsomely. “This is their story, their victory”.
“I wanted to retake a penalty in a crucial moment”, said Griezmann, who missed from the spot in the Champions League final loss to Real Madrid.
“I’m really happy for everybody”.
“After the game against France, I thanked the players, the coaching staff and the support team for an incredible performance at Euro 2016”, a statement from the DFB president reads. Die Manschaft were playing in the semi-final of a major tournament for the sixth straight time – and had history on their side, as they had not lost to Les Bleus in a competitive event since the 1958 world cup.
“We all raised our game – everyone was great in this match”.
While Portugal only barely squeaked through the group stage, this was because of a combination of a team finishing slump and some very lucky opposition goals rather than poor play. “That’s very bitter”, said Neuer.
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“Today we didn’t have the luck we needed”, said Loew.
