Patrika Stollarz/AFPFrench fans wait for the start of the Euro 2016 semi-final football match between Germany and France at the Stade Velodrome in Marseille on 7 July, 2016.
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The win was France’s first over Germany in a major tournament since 1958, following eliminations in the World Cup knockout stages in 1982, 1986 and 2014.
Bastian Schweinsteiger gave away the penalty for the first goal in Germany’s defeat to France.
Antoine Griezmann stepped up and tucked the penalty in the corner, sending Manuel Neuer the wrong way. A sluggish pass by Benedikt Hoewedes 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.
France beat Germany to secure a place in the UEFA Euro 2016 final at the at the Stade Vélodrome in Marseilles, France on Thursday.
The tireless midfielder at times appeared to be man-marking both Griezmann and Olivier Giroud, reading the game so well that he could cut out passes before they reached France’s danger men and, failing that, time his tackles to perfection. “It was a long time since we’d beaten Germany but that didn’t mean anything today”.
Though world champion Germany played very well, and dominated the game, Antoine Griezmann scored twice and crushed their hopes of going into the finals. “I’m very proud as a coach and proud of my players – it’s not that I’m not happy personally but it’s mainly for the players”.
Following the second of the night for France, there was no looking back for the hosts as they held on well to not allow Germany to score and eventually kept a clean sheet and book a date with Portugal in final at home soil.
The pressure on France’s defence continued to grow and, having survived a penalty appeal for a Paul Pogba challenge on Toni Kroos, Bastian Schweinsteiger drew another stop from Lloris with an effort from 25 yards.
“I had my share [of finals] as a player”.
“What I say to the team is it’s good that we’re a family, but we have to do something”.
But he gave him a second chance, and Payet responded with three goals at Euro 2016, helping France through laborious early wins against Romania and Albania.
The coach also stressed: “I haven’t seen too many errors in this tournament”. I think they will win against Portugal.
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Sunday’s final will pit Griezmann against Ronaldo and a team from a nation of 11 million people against one of Europe’s giants, who won the World Cup in 1998 at the same venue and the European title in 1984.
