So it's France that will go on to play Portugal in the Euro 2016 final after Antoine Griezmann scored a penalty and stabbed home Paul Pogba's spilled cross. The Germans may feel harshly done by after a tight penalty decision went against them (correctly, but often not spotted/given) and with Joachim Low's side missing Mario Gomez in attack and unable to register the score their play possibly merited.
Regardless, Les Bleus march on and will be confident they can match 1984 by winning the European Championship held on their own shores, as they face Portugal who they have beaten in the previous 10 matches between the two countries.
If France do secure victory, they will be thankful to Griezmann's unerring accuracy throughout the tournament in attack, but also to some outstanding defensive work at the back as both Laurent Koscielny and Samuel Umtiti blunted the opposition's forays forward.
— Stats Zone (@StatsZone) 7 July 2016
— Stats Zone (@StatsZone) 7 July 2016
— Stats Zone (@StatsZone) 7 July 2016
However, Didier Deschamps men did eventually get a foothold back in the game, as Griezmann was finding little pockets of space between the lines…
— Stats Zone (@StatsZone) 7 July 2016
…while Koscielny was making valiant blocks to deny Les Bleus conceding. France's penalty may not have been given on another day but Griezmann stayed cool from the spot and the home side led.
HT #GER 0-1 #FRA (via @StatsZonehttps://t.co/9BGvjVSluO): Huge Howedes block to deny Giroud; Griezmann's penalty. pic.twitter.com/DiMg9bAyuc
— Stats Zone (@StatsZone) 7 July 2016
Koscielny remained a steady influence at the back…
— Steven Groves (@stevegroves1979) 7 July 2016
…and in the second half France improved, poshing back Jogi Low's men and carving out the chances to seal the game.
— Stats Zone (@StatsZone) 7 July 2016
Eventually a brilliant piece of footwork out wide by Paul Pogba enabled Griezmann to toe home and settle the tie, following Manuel Neuer's mishandling of the cross. (That goal meant that the Atletico attacker has now matched Thierry Henry in goals scored at the Euros.)
— Stats Zone (@StatsZone) 7 July 2016
— Stats Zone (@StatsZone) 7 July 2016
— Stats Zone (@StatsZone) 7 July 2016
And another rapier-like attacking display from Griezmann wouldn't go amiss either.
Griezmann v Germany
10/12 attacking third passes completed
5/5 take ons
7 shots
4 on target
2 goals
via @StatsZonepic.twitter.com/IlAAuDNFzI
— Colm McMullan (@tiki_taka_co) 7 July 2016
