Euro 2016, Highlights, France vs Albania: Griezmann, Payet Help FRA Beat ALB 2-0
France coach Didier Deschamps made a huge decision to drop Paul Pogba and Antoine Griezmann for the start of the Euro 2016 Group A match against Albania. But both came on as second half substitutes and played a part in the two goals that were scored. Get highlights of the match between France vs Albania here
France snatched a 2-0 win against Albania thanks to a 90th minute goal from Antoine Griezmann and an injury time strike from Dimitri Payet in an Euro 2016 Group A match on Wednesday. The hosts were frustrated by some solid defence from the Albanians but left it late to become the first team to progress to the knockout stage. Catch highlights of France vs Albania here. (SCORECARD | POINTS TABLE | NEWS)
02:30 hrs IST: That's it from us tonight. Join us tomorrow for more Euro 2016 action.
02:25 hrs IST: Full-time whistle blows!! France are through to the knockouts. They were made to work hard by Albania but they managed to get over the line.
France leave it late against Albania to make it 2/2!#EURO2016 #FRAALB pic.twitter.com/zQQXvQXKjn
- UEFA EURO 2016 (@UEFAEURO) June 15, 2016
02:24 hrs IST: Gooallll!! This time it's Payet and France have doubled their lead. Unbelievable scenes at Stade Velodrome.
02:19 hrs IST: Gooaall!! It's finally come for France and it's substitute Antoine Griezmann who gives his side the crucial lead.
GOAL! France 1-0 Albania (Griezmann 90)#EURO2016 #FRAALB pic.twitter.com/l8i5P6HtE4
- UEFA EURO 2016 (@UEFAEURO) June 15, 2016
02:18 hrs IST: Still no breakthrough for the French with just a minute of normal time remaining.
02:12 hrs IST: Kante unleashes a short from outside the box, the ball takes a wicked deflection and goes just wide.
02:10 hrs IST: Big Miss!! Koscielny with a huge chance from a Payet free-kick but the Frenchman misses the header all-together.
02:05 hrs IST: Giroud's night has come to an end and Andre-Pierre Gignac comes on for the Arsenal man.
02:03 hrs IST: The French crossing has improved and but for the woodwork Giroud would have had his ninth goal in seven international starts.
You get the feeling a goal might be imminent...#EURO2016 #FRAALB pic.twitter.com/NvpLzonmhs
- UEFA EURO 2016 (@UEFAEURO) June 15, 2016
01:58 hrs IST: Giroud hits the bar!! Another header from the Arsenal striker leaves the Albania goalie stranded but the ball ricochets off the left post.
01:57 hrs IST: Big Miss!! Excellent ball from the left wing from Coman, Giroud rises to meet the cross but puts his header wide.
18 attempts from #FRA and #ALB combined, but not one on target yet...#EURO2016 pic.twitter.com/8kue1vbvYb
- UEFA EURO 2016 (@UEFAEURO) June 15, 2016
01:50 hrs IST: France are throwing everything that they have but still can't find a way past the Albanian defence. The home crowd are getting increasingly frustrated.
01:40 hrs IST: Big Chance!! Albania come might close to taking the lead as Memushaj's hits the post. France are flirting with danger and look rattled.
01:38 hrs IST: France are showing great urgency after the break. First bit of panic of in Albanian defence but danger is averted.
01:34 hrs IST: Great start to the second half for France as Coman puts his header just wide.
01:33 hrs IST: That's the end of the game for Anthony Martial. Paul Pogba comes on for the Manchester United attacker.
01:18 hrs IST: Half-time whistle blows!! It's still goalless at Marseille. France will have to shift gears if they are to break down this Albanian defence.
Nothing to separate #FRA and #ALB after 45.#EURO2016 #FRAALB pic.twitter.com/TYzuX9Btlb
- UEFA EURO 2016 (@UEFAEURO) June 15, 2016
01:13 hrs IST: The Albanians are starting to create a few chances. Anxious faces at the Stade Velodrome
01:11 hrs IST: Big Chance!! Clever free-kick and Albania's Lenjani's shot is blocked.
01:09 hrs IST: Brilliant trickery from Coman down the right flank but ye again the final ball is lacking.
01:04 hrs IST: The French fans will hope this trend continues.
France have won 9/10 games Martial has played in. #EURO2016 #FRAALB pic.twitter.com/MbWoqbnPIS
- UEFA EURO 2016 (@UEFAEURO) June 15, 2016
01:00 hrs IST: France still can't the killer ball in the final third. The boisterous French crowd are starting to wear a worried look and a few boos are ringing around the stadium.
00:52 hrs IST: The French attackers are getting very little space to work their magic. The Albanians are keeping the hosts at bay, at least for the time being.
00:48 hrs IST: Good chance for Anthony Martial but he crowded out by Albania defenders
The closest we've come to a goal so far as Giroud heads over.#EURO2016 #FRAALB pic.twitter.com/Hl4nvYp3BJ
- UEFA EURO 2016 (@UEFAEURO) June 15, 2016
00:43 hrs IST: Good spell of ball possession for Albania in the French half. They might be rank outsiders in today's match but can't be taken too lightly.
00:39 hrs IST: Everytime the French get the ball, they are looking to attack immediately.
00:32 hrs IST: Albania start the proceedings but lose the ball straightaway.
00:29 hrs IST: Huge decision taken by France coach Didier Deschamps as Pogba and Greizmann are dropped to the bench
Pogba drops to the #FRA bench. Can Coman deliver in his place?#EURO2016 pic.twitter.com/mEOLyAz3dJ
- UEFA EURO 2016 (@UEFAEURO) June 15, 2016
00:28 hrs IST: A deafening noise around Marseille as the French anthem starts.
00:25 hrs IST: The two teams lineup for their respective national anthems.
00:20 hrs IST: Here are how the two-teams line-up for the Group A encounter.
Martial and Coman replace Griezmann and Pogba for France.#EURO2016 #FRAALB pic.twitter.com/j5cUj9R13S
- UEFA EURO 2016 (@UEFAEURO) June 15, 2016
00:15 hrs IST: Hello and welcome to the third match of the day. Host France take on Albania with an eye on reaching the last 16 of the tournament.
© AFP
France looked tight in a last-gasp 2-1 win against Romania at the Stade de France in the opening game of the tournament last Friday, but victory has given them the confidence they needed after two years without playing a competitive game.
France will be all but guaranteed qualification if they beat Albania, who lost 1-0 against Switzerland in their opener.
Albania will be without their suspended captain Lorik Cana, who was sent off against Switzerland, and are likely to take a conservative approach.
Albania beat France in their last meeting a year ago, a 1-0 victory in a friendly in Elbasan, seven months after the teams had drawn 1-1 in Rennes.
Pogba drops to the #FRA bench. Can Coman deliver in his place?#EURO2016 pic.twitter.com/mEOLyAz3dJ
— UEFA EURO 2016 (@UEFAEURO) June 15, 2016