11 Jun 2016

Last minute win for France

9:42 am on 11 June 2016

Dimitri Payet's spectacular late strike earned France a 2-1 win over Euro 2016 Group A rivals Romania, giving the host nation a flying start to their campaign.

France's Dimitri Payet celebtrates his goal against Romania at Euro 2016.

France's Dimitri Payet celebtrates his goal against Romania at Euro 2016. Photo: AFP

Payet played chief tormentor at the Stade de France as he set up Olivier Giroud for the opening goal after the break and then curled a superb left-footer into the top corner of the net with one minute left after Bogdan Stancu had equalised for Romania.

After dominating their opponents in the warm-up friendlies, Didier Deschamps' team failed to ignite in the first half of their first competitive match for two years.

They looked set for a draw in the opening match of the tournament until Payet took the ball on the right flank, cut inside and struck a venemous drive to send the crowd into raptures.

The West Ham United midfielder, who was not even certain of a place in the France squad a few months ago, walked off the pitch in tears and was given an ovation by the crowd after delivering a world-class performance.

"Romania made it difficult for us and it took us time to get into the game especially as there was a lot of emotion," said Payet.

"To be here tonight and score is the result of a lot of hard work and a lot of sacrifices. I wouldn't have thought at the start of the season that I'd be here, there was some pressure on arriving at the stadium but I came to enjoy myself."

France made a shaky start with keeper Hugo Lloris saving well from Stancu at the far post in the fourth minute.

A reaction finally came in the 11th minute when Giroud's header from a Payet cross went just wide.

Lacking the speed and goal instinct that helped them net 13 times in their four previous matches, Les Bleus were a pale shadow of the side who breezed past their recent opponents.

-Reuters