Antoine Griezmann and Dimitri Payet’s late strikes were enough to send France into the knockout stages of UEFA Euro 2016. After the hosts spurned a number of opportunities, the vital moment finally arrived in the 90th minute, when Adil Rami’s cross was met by an unmarked Griezmann in between the two central defenders.
The game was sealed in the 95th minute as Albania were left short at the back in an attempt to find an equaliser. Dimitri Payet finished off the resulting French counter-attack with a perfect side-footed finish past goalkeeper Berisha.
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Here are the 5 talking points of an eye-catching football match:
#1 Anthony Martial’s selection fails to pay off
The biggest talking point came even before the ball was kicked – news came through from the French camp that Paul Pogba and Antoine Griezmann were dropped from the starting lineup and were replaced by the youthful duo of Kingsley Coman and Anthony Martial.
However, the latter’s selection did not produce the desired result, as he failed to produce the magic that made him a superstar in his debut season at Manchester United. He failed to beat the Albanian right-back with his fleet-footed dribbles and was very hesitant to get a shot away. He was promptly replaced by Pogba at half-time.
#2 Albania’s defence falters at the final hurdle
France were kept at bay by a defensively solid Albania. The Euro newcomers were able to read each attack coming through the middle – through Payet’s crosses or through Matuidi’s through passes. Every cross from the wing was dealt with near-perfect conviction.
However, a tired Albanian back-line was unable to do its job right at the death – Griezmann getting in between the two centre-halves to head the ball past Berisha from an Adil Rami cross. To witness Albania’s heroics count for nothing in the end was harsh on them, but atleast they can take consolation from the fact that they were able to neutralise France’s threat for 89 minutes.
#3 Dimitri Payet is the star yet again
Like in the previous game against the Romanians, it was playmaker Dimitri Payet who was in the heart of France’s attacking index. Be it on top of setpieces or delivering those overhead crosses in an attempt to find the striker upfront – he was everywhere.
Even when his teammates were having a not so good game on the pitch, the West Ham man kept the intensity going and kept testing the mettle of the Albanian defence. His 95th-minute goal to seal the game for the hosts was the icing on the cake. Another game, another fabulous performance by the 29-year old.
#4 Albania create chances of their own too
Unlike general expectation, it was not all one-way traffic for Les Bleus. Albania did create their own opportunities to catch the French on the counter. Armando Sadiku was lively, leading the counter charges and getting a shot or two away – giving Hugo Lloris a couple of nervy moments.
They nearly went ahead after half-time, when Ledian Memushaj thudded the ball against the woodwork following a cross. They managed to stretch the defence of one of world football’s elite nations – and they should be credited for that.
#5 How far can France go at the Euros?
If they can dig out results like these in the dying moments of games, then the hosts can be considered among the favourites to make it all the way to the Final next month. But once again, a lack of conviction in the attacking third would have worried Didier Deschamps on the sidelines.
With the attacking options they possess, France must work on killing teams off earlier, so that they don’t have to rush things in the final stages. With the pressure of the home fans to add to it, it won’t be all that smooth for France, but the winning mentality is definitely there and France must work on being more ruthless when it comes to finishing off moves.
Olivier Giroud was yet again wasteful, and it remains to be seen whether he retains his place for the final group game against the Swiss.
