Marseille: Antoine Griezmann took up the mantle as challenger-in-chief to Cristiano Ronaldo with two goals that crushed world champions Germany and saw France into Sunday’s Euro 2016 final against Portugal. A penalty awarded seconds before half-time caused turmoil in the German camp. Griezmann took his chance and added a second strike to extend his lead as the tournament’s leading scorer and become France’s new football hero.
“He’s our little Mr Extra,” said fellow striker Olivier Giroud after the dramatic win before 65,000 spectators on a hot Thursday night in Marseille. France’s first victory over their rivals in a major tournament since 1958 came out of a controversial penalty decision at the end of the first half. Italian referee Nicola Rizzoli saw that German captain Bastian Schweinsteiger handled the ball in an aerial challenge with Patrice Evra. German players were furious but Griezmann sent goalkeeper Manuel Neuer the wrong way with his spot kick.
The 2014 World Cup winners had dominated possession and German coach Joachim Loew said he had to “calm the players down” in the dressing room at half-time because of the penalty. Germany renewed their control of the ball in the second half but Griezmann rattled them again with a 72nd minute goal. Paul Pogba’s cross from the left was cleared by Neuer into the Atletico Madrid star’s path to fire home through the legs of the goalkeeper who had only conceded one other goal in regulation time at the tournament.
Germany desperately pushed forward. Joshua Kimmich hit the crossbar with one shot and other efforts went narrowly wide. But France held firm for a famous and thrilling victory. 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.
France’s recent years have been clouded by defeats and scandal, including a player strike at the 2010 World Cup. Now the country appears to be behind them again. Said coach Didier Deschamps: “The ones I chose for this squad have repaid me handsomely. This is their story, their victory.”
Coach Deschamps over the moon with his team spunk:
France coach Didier Deschamps said the Euro 2016 hosts had beaten world champions Germany to reach the final by never giving up despite suffering relentless pressure. “We found it tough but we didn’t give up,” Deschamps said as he celebrated the 2-0 win in Marseille. Deschamps hailed Germany as “a great team.” The World Cup holders easily dominated possession in the match.
“There is quality in this German team. And when they don’t have the ball it gets even more complicated. We had the best team in the world opposite us.” Deschamps said he felt “so much joy, and happiness for the players because they deserved” the victory. The players had felt the support of the French nation behind them, he said. “Before we came to the stadium we saw people going crazy — they are going to be even crazier on Sunday.
“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.” Paul Pogba, the influential midfielder who provided the cross which led to Antoine Griezmann’s second goal, said: “It’s great, it’s crazy. Look at all the people here to support us, it’s magnificent. Olivier Giroud paid tribute to two-goal hero Griezmann, his partner in the French forward line. “‘Grizi’ did his job and we pushed them right to the end,” Giroud said.
