By Simon Wright – Follow me on Twitter @Siwri88
There are no easy games at EURO 2016 and tournament hosts
France are finding this out. Pushed all the way on opening night by Romania in
the Stade de France, it was even nervier at the Stade Velodrome on Wednesday
evening.
They were frustrated by a well-drilled Albania side for 89
minutes before stoppage time goals from Antoine Griezmann and the man of the
moment, Dimitri Payet sealed a 2-0 victory.
It was cruel for Albania, who didn’t offer anything going
forwards but defended manfully and showed the world they deserve to be here.
They are now probably going home though, whilst Les Bleus become the first team
to have definitely qualified for the last 16.
Deschamps
shock
As had been reported by French media in the build-up to the
game, manager Didier Deschamps decided to change his line-up from the win over
Romania. The two main players that observers believe will be integral to France’s
tournament chances were dropped. Griezmann and Paul Pogba were both left out of
the starting XI.
It was a shock to many, with Anthony Martial and Kingsley
Coman given the opportunity to shine. Payet move into a no.10 position but the
changes in tactics did not work. Albania frustrated their opponents in the
opening 45 minutes and forced the French coach to accept he got his call wrong.
He ditched the 4-2-3-1 for the 4-3-3 formation he started
with against Romania at the interval and hauled Martial off, bringing Pogba on.
Immediately, the hosts looked more threatening and as the game wore on, there
was a sense of inevitability about what was to come.
Albania’s defending was superb but as they grew tired, the
pressure continued and finally, the deadlock was broken as the clock struck 90
minutes. Griezmann, who replaced Coman, guided Adil Rami’s cross into the net
and Marseille erupted with a mixture of delight and relief.
 |
| Dimitri Payet sealed France's passage into the last 16 with the second goal |
Payet (pictured), back at the club where he made his name before his
move to West Ham United last summer, sealed the game with the last kick as
Albania pushed players forward in the vain hope of getting an equaliser. It
already feels like it is his tournament.
He was once again the shining light in a performance that ended well but
still will have a few doubts lingering in the back of minds of fans and
journalists.
Seminal
moment
The final outcome was tough on Albania who had done enough
with their defensive might to earn a creditable and deserved point. In the end,
they might win plaudits but get nothing for their efforts.
They haven’t scored yet in this tournament and barring some
strange results in the final group games, look set to depart the competition
after the group stages.
You got the sense that this was a seminal moment in EURO
2016. If it had finished 0-0, things might have got restless between the press
and the national team. Now, confidence will be soaring in the French camp and
they can only get better with every passing game.
It was a slightly fortuitous win in the circumstances but
maximum points have been earned and qualification to the next stage assured.
Only a point now is required against Switzerland on Sunday night to take France
through as winners of Group A.
My best
three players of the match
Man of the Match: Dmitri Payet (France)
For the second successive French match, Payet ran the show.
He was the one who always looked like he might make the difference and the goal
to wrap up the game in stoppage time was taken by a man who has all the
confidence in the world at the moment. He is the star of EURO 2016 so far.
2nd: Mergim Mavraj (Albania)
The veteran defender was a lionheart at the back for his
team. Anything that needed clearing, he did and he blocked most things thrown
at him too. Mavraj didn’t deserve to be on the losing side.
3rd: Adil Rami (France)
Only in the team due to Raphael Varane’s injury and Mamadou
Sakho’s suspension, Rami gets in the top three for producing the ball of the
match. It was a super delivery for Griezmann to guide home the opening goal and
incredibly, the first effort on target in the entire game.
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