By Simon Wright – Follow me on Twitter @Siwri88
France breezed into the semi-finals of EURO 2016 on Sunday
night as they finally ended the dreams of Iceland after a 5-2 victory in their
quarter-final at the Stade de France.
Having misfired so far in the tournament, the French put in
their most convincing display on home soil and charged into a 4-0 lead by
half-time against tired opponents.
Goals from Olivier Giroud, Paul Pogba, Dimitri Payet and
Antoine Griezmann had fears that a cricket score could develop by the full-time
whistle. Giroud added another goal in the second half but Iceland leave with
pride firmly intact and actually won the second half.
Kolbeinn Sigthorsson, who gave Joe Hart the worst moment of
his career, last Monday, pulled a goal back before Birkir Bjarnason had the
final say. Iceland depart having gained many more friends than when they
arrived and of course, they dumped England out which is a moment no-one will
forget – however embarrassing it was.
Flair and
flavour
The real France has only been seen in dribs and drabs so far
at EURO 2016 and it has been more down to a moment of quality from an
individual, usually in the form of either Payet or Griezmann.
On this occasion, they played like a team that meant
business with a sumptuous opening 45 minutes that underlined just why they came
into the competition as clear tournament favourites.
Two goals were scored inside 20 minutes to already put the
game as a contest virtually beyond the brave Icelandic team. Giroud clipping in
the opener after being played in by Blaise Matuidi. Pogba powered in a header
from a corner to score his first goal of the competition.
Griezmann was once again in inspired form. He assisted the
corner for Pogba’s goal and teed up Payet just before half-time for his third
of the competition.
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| Griezmann chips in the fourth goal in another virtuoso display |
You can see why Griezmann (pictured) is full of confidence at the
moment. He has reacted brilliantly from his surprise axing from the team for
Les Bleus’ second match in the group stages against Albania. He has just signed
a new contract with his club side Atletico Madrid and they are incredibly lucky
to have him.
He added his name onto the scoresheet with basically the
last kick of the first half, producing an almost carbon copy finish to Giroud’s
opening goal. It was the Arsenal forward who played him in, as they combined
brilliantly once more to great effect as they had in the last round against the
Republic of Ireland.
The Stade de France was in awe at such a devastating display
by Didier Deschamps’ side. Talk immediately was raised of the biggest win being
recorded in the knockout stages of a European Championships game.
However, the 6-1 scoreline produced by the Netherlands over
Yugoslavia at EURO 2000 still stands, thanks to a contribution of French
relaxation and never-say-die attitude from their opponents.
Ice-cool
Iceland
Iceland’s heads could have dropped after such a demoralising
first half but they never did and kept chasing a completely lost cause.
They deserved the two goals they scored. Sigthorsson became
the first outfield player to score against Hugo Lloris in this competition from
open play. It was fitting that Bjarnason,
who had the first word in Iceland’s group opening draw with Portugal, should
have the last word too with a stooping header.
Giroud and Laurent Koscielny were both withdrawn during the
second half to ensure they didn’t collect a second booking and miss the
semi-final with Germany. No chances were being taken by Deschamps here after
losing Adil Rami and N’Golo Kante to suspension for this game.
France might have just hit form at the right time and the
Germans better watch out ahead of their showdown in Marseille on Thursday
night.
For Iceland, it is back to their home country for a heroes’
welcome. They have been one of the highlights of EURO 2016 and have to be
considered as a serious player in European international football. Austria and
England can testify for that.
My best
three players of the match
Man of the Match: Antoine Griezmann (France)
He looked once again in completely impeccable form.
Griezmann set-up two goals and then scored a delightful fourth right before the
interval. He heads the race for the Golden Boot and on this form, will be hard
to beat. Without Mats Hummels, Germany might struggle to deal with Griezmann on
this form.
2nd: Olivier Giroud (France)
It is strange to think that Giroud wasn’t even an automatic
pick ahead of this competition and was even being booed by French supporters in
friendly matches. Now, he is among the heroes of this team. He looked
formidable with two goals and an assist vs. Iceland. Arsene Wenger will be
pleased to see this form from a distance.
3rd: Dimitri Payet (France)
Dimitri Payet has been inspirational to France’s surge in
this tournament. He once again made his mark with a goal before the break and a
vicious delivery from a free-kick to set-up the fifth goal of the game for the
French, scored by a Giroud header.
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