Dimitri Payet scored a memorable 89th-minute winner to hand host nation France a 2-1 victory over Romania in the opening match of Euro 2016 on Friday evening.
Les Bleus looked on course to begin their campaign with a draw after Bogdan Stancu had cancelled out Olivier Giroud’s opener, but Payet stole the headlines late on to get his side off to a winning start.
The opening came from a corner as the ball was flicked on to the back post, only for Stancu to fire straight at Hugo Lloris from point-blank range when it looked easier to score.
The hosts were undone by another corner moments later, however, as Romania hinted at a potential Achilles’ heel for France when Florian Andone got in front of Giroud only to send his header onto the roof of the net.
The host were even closer to breaking the deadlock just three minutes later when Bacary Sagna’s cross struck Vlad Chiriches and deflected into the path of Antoine Griezmann, who reacted in time to steer a header against the post from close range.
The first half was a story of missed opportunities, though, and Giroud, who had scored seven goals in his last five starts for France heading into Euro 2016, missed one more in stoppage time when he nodded Payet’s corner over the crossbar.
The hosts soon settled back into the game, though, and Payet began to weave his creative magic as the half wore on, setting up Giroud to have France’s first shot on target of the evening when he fired a deflected effort straight at the keeper.
The opening goal of the tournament did finally arrive just before the hour mark, though, and again the chance came from the boot of Payet as he floated a ball into the box that Giroud met, beating the keeper in the air to nod it into the unguarded net.
The hosts were ahead for just seven minutes, though, as Romania quickly levelled things after being awarded a penalty for a clumsy foul on Stanciu from Patrice Evra.
Stancu, who had already missed two clear chances for the visitors, stepped up to take the spot kick and this time made no mistake, sending Lloris the wrong way and tucking the ball into the bottom corner.
Anthony Martial was brought on in an effort to put France back in front, and he had a chance to do just that when he was teed up by Giroud, but he didn’t catch his shot right and it was a comfortable save for the keeper in the end.
It looked as though France might become the latest host nation to slip up in the opening game of a European Championship, but Payet made himself the hero late on with a stunning strike into the top corner to win the match for his side.
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