PARIS (APP) – With France heading for certain disappointment in their opening Euro 2016 fixture, Dimitri Payet unleashed a sensational goal to rescue the tournament hosts who claimed a 2-1 win over Romania.
In a packed Stade de France surrounded by thousands of police guarding against a repeat of the November 13 attacks on Paris, coach Didier Deschamps said the nation’s expectations had weighed heavily.
“The players felt it and that imposes obligations. Psychologically it was not easy to manage but we were rewarded” with the win, he said.
A sensational Payet strike secures France all three points. #EURO2016 #FRAROU pic.twitter.com/x9KmhD7MYI
— UEFA EURO 2016 (@UEFAEURO) June 10, 2016
Germany, Spain, Italy, England and other rivals for the European title cannot have failed to notice France’s frailties in defense and Payet’s inspirational performance.
After a nervous start against a Romanian team with nothing to lose, the 29-year-old Payet, who only broke into the France team this year, provided the cross for Olivier Giroud to head France into the lead in the 57th minute.
Yet Romania defended stubbornly throughout and Bogdan Stancu equalised from the penalty spot after a clumsy foul from Patrice Evra on Nicolae Stanciu.
Payet then had to step in with a bending 25-metre strike in the 89th minute that brought tears even to the scorer as he left the field.
“It was a lot of stress, a lot of pressure, if someone had told me it would have gone like that I don’t think I would have believed them,” said Payet.
