Pay(S)et for France
Hosts France enjoyed an uplifting start to Euro 2016 as Dimitri Payet's superb last-gasp strike bailed out Les Bleus in a 2-1 victory over a stubborn Romania side at the Stade de France on a peaceful night in the capital on Friday.
By : migrator
Update: 2016-06-11 13:35 GMT
Paris
Starting the month-long tournament amid strikes to protest against a labour law and terror fears seven months after Islamic attacks on Paris killed 130, the national team lightened the mood thanks to Payet's 20-metre drive into the top corner.
Didier Deschamps' team seemed to be heading for a gloomy draw but a moment of magic from talismanic West Ham United player Payet left the home fans celebrating a memorable win on a serene Paris evening to get the finals off to a fine start.
France got off to a nervous start, looking a pale shadow of the team who breezed past their recent opponents.
Captain Hugo Lloris had to make a point-blank save early on and France failed to manage a shot on target in the first half.
After 57 minutes Giroud silenced his critics when he headed home from Payet's cross after Romania keeper Ciprian Tatarusanu completely missed the ball as he jumped with the France striker.
Eight minutes later, however, Stancu coolly converted a penalty after Patrice Evra's clumsy foul on Nicolae Stanciu.
However, the impressive Payet, who had been behind almost every France opportunity, was on hand to save the day.
Collecting the ball from N'Golo Kante, Payet cut inside and struck a vicious drive into the top corner, sending the crowd into raptures.
"It's quite easy in football when you can bang it into the top corner. It solves quite a lot of problems," said Deschamps.
France next take on Albania in Marseille on Wednesday after Romania play Switzerland in Paris.
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