Germany vs. France: Score and Twitter Reaction from Euro 2016 Semi-Finals
Antoine Griezmann fired France to the final of UEFA Euro 2016 with a brace on Thursday, as the hosts beat reigning world champions Germany 2-0 in Marseille.
The Atletico Madrid man opened the score just before half-time from the penalty spot after Bastian Schweinsteiger gave away a silly penalty for a hand ball. He doubled his tally after 72 minutes, booking a meeting with Portugal in the final on Sunday.
The match turned on the penalty, as Germany had been the better side up until that point. Die Mannschaft barely threatened Les Bleus until Griezmann scored his second goal, and the final result was never in doubt.
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As Euro 2016's official Twitter account shared, France manager Didier Deschamps opted to keep star midfielder N'Golo Kante on the bench, while Deschamps' German counterpart, Joachim Low, moved Thomas Muller to the striker position and introduced Liverpool's Emre Can:
Both teams started with plenty of energy, resulting in a nervy opening. Les Bleus pressed high up the pitch, but their passing was far from perfect. Per Bleacher Report UK's Jonathan Johnson, the pitch conditions didn't help in that department:
France dominated possession in the early stages, putting real pressure on a German squad used to controlling the ball themselves. Griezmann and Blaise Matuidi set up a nice combination for the first real chance of the match, but German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer easily dealt with the latter's low strike.
Defensively, the hosts started the match solidly, not giving Die Mannschaft any space to work with. Germany's first chance came thanks to a smart pass from Can, who isolated Thomas Muller in a promising position. His shot missed the mark by some distance, however.
Just a few minutes later, French keeper Hugo Lloris had to produce a great save to stop a Can volley from going in at his near post. BBC Sport's Phil McNulty was enjoying the action on offer:
Germany now appeared to take control of the contest, and Muller was furious when the official didn't award his team a free-kick or a penalty for a perceived foul from Paul Pogba on Toni Kroos on the edge of the box.
Neuer easily saved a free-kick from Dimitri Payet after 25 minutes—the only real chance France had been able to muster after that fast start. On the other side of the pitch, Mesut Ozil had a volley blocked, and Lloris tipped Schweinsteiger's rebound over the bar.
Per AS English, the possession stats had changed significantly:
Muller just couldn't reach a loose ball in the French box before Can fouled Griezmann close to the box, giving France another chance with a free-kick. Pogba tried his luck this time, but once again, Neuer picked his position well and easily saved.
A poor back-pass from Matuidi gifted Muller possession with space to run, but he found himself alone against several defenders and couldn't trouble Lloris with a shot from distance. On the other side of the pitch, Patrice Evra found Griezmann inside the box, but his shot hit the side netting.
Miguel Delaney of The Independent thought Les Bleus needed to make a change:
Benedikt Howedes produced a last-ditch tackle to block a shot from Olivier Giroud, who perhaps should have played in Griezmann instead. He didn't move fast either, prompting this tweet from Bleacher Report UK:
The half ended on a controversial note, as referee Nicola Rizzoli awarded France a penalty after Schweinsteiger appeared to handle the box. The Manchester United man led with his arm in a duel with Evra and was unlucky to have the ball strike his hand, but the official behind the goal showed no mercy.
The Daily Mirror's Alex Richards thought it was a silly mistake from the veteran:
Griezmann sent Neuer the wrong way from the penalty spot, handing his team the lead just before half-time.
France started the second half on fire, as Pogba picked out Giroud with a superb pass, only to watch his team-mate fire a shot right at Boateng. He then beautifully played in Griezmann, whose strike was deflected over the goal.
Die Mannschaft were swept up in the fast pace, and Julian Draxler ran into a booking after a needless challenge on Moussa Sissoko.
Low's troops calmed down soon after and returned to their patient buildup approach. But just as their attack started to gather steam, Die Mannschaft suffered a big blow, as Jerome Boateng suffered an apparent non-contact injury and needed a replacement.
With Mats Hummels watching on because of a suspension, Shkodran Mustafi made his way onto the pitch instead. Per Johnson, this aided France's bid to qualify for the final quite a bit:
Laurent Koscielny powered a header over Neuer's goal before Mario Gotze replaced Can, as Low pushed his men up the pitch.
Payet couldn't trouble Neuer after a swift counter, and Draxler couldn't work a ball past Samuel Umtiti at the near post. Germany once again took control of proceedings, and Deschamps responded by introducing Kante for Payet, adding some muscle to his midfield.
The second goal fell just seconds later, as Pogba took advantage of a huge defensive miscue to lob a cross into the box. Neuer punched the ball right into the path of Griezmann, who prodded his second of the match home from close range.
FourFourTwo's Andrew Gibney loved it:
Joshua Kimmich almost pulled a goal back for his side shortly after, hitting the upright with a stunning curling shot, and Draxler fired a free-kick just wide of the post.
Mustafi blasted a volley high over the bar, and Howedes went a little closer with a powerful header. But all in all, France's defence survived the onslaught rather easily. Griezmann nearly completed his hat-trick after 85 minutes, but Toni Kroos returned just in time to force him to his weaker right foot.
The final chance of the match fell to Kimmich, but Lloris preserved the clean sheet with a great save.
Les Bleus will meet Portugal at the Stade de France on Sunday.
Post-Match Reaction
As shared by Andrew Haslam of UEFA.com, Low thought his side were the better team:
He also said he expects France to beat Portugal:
"Low on #EURO2016 final: "I expect #FRA to win. #POR haven't convinced much so far and France have a great side." #GERFRA
— Andrew Haslam (@UEFAcomAndrewH) July 7, 2016"
Les Bleus have won major tournaments on home soil before and enter Sunday's final without any real injury concerns or suspensions. On paper, Portugal shouldn't present as much of a challenge as Germany did, and Deschamps and his troops will love their chances of finishing the job.
