Antoine Griezmann Scores Two To Lead France To 2-0 Euro 2016 Semifinal Win Over Germany

“I’m absolutely delighted and very proud,” said Griezmann, whose six goals are double the next highest scorer at the tournament. “There’s still one match to go to finish with a flourish; it’s going to be very tricky but I hope this won’t be the end of things. It’s our duty to win matches for the French public, and let’s hope we can finish on a high too.”

The first half appeared to be scoreless until France earned a corner kick one minute before the break and, as the ball entered the box, German captain Bastian Schweinsteiger challenged for it by raising his arms. When it deflected off French defenseman Patrice Evra’s head and caromed straight into Schweinsteiger’s right arm, referee Nicola Rizzoli pointed to the penalty spot as several French players vehemently began approaching him to make the call.

Griezmann stepped up to take the shot, and sank the ball into the left side of the goal– as German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer dove the other way– to give France a 1-0 lead. A little over a month ago, the 25-year-old forward missed a critical penalty kick as his club team, Atletico Madrid, was defeated in a shootout in the Champions League final by Real Madrid.

“Everybody was shocked,” Germany Manager Joachim Löw said of his team after trailing 1-0 at halftime. “I had to calm the players down in the dressing room at halftime.”

He added: “And then, after, it was difficult.”

Germany had more scoring chances in the second half, but couldn’t finish on any. Toni Kroos had his run cut off. Julian Draxler curled a shot just wide. Joshua Kimmich saw his powerful drive ricochet off the post.

In the 67th minute, Lowe sent on Mario Gotze for Emre Can, and French manager Didier Deschamps countered with N’Golo Kante. Five minutes later, Griezmann doubled France’s lead. Germany tried to play the ball out of the back after a restart. French midfielder Paul Pogba, 23, danced around defenders Kimmich and Shkodran Mustafi after stealing the ball. Pogba then floated a cross that Neuer could only manage to bat to the ground, and Griezmann tapped it in from the center of the box to make it 2-0.

“He’s our little man who gives us something more,” forward Olivier Giroud said of Griezmann, who in turn praised Pogba for his stellar ball-handling and overall play.

The past year has undoubtedly been difficult for French soccer fans and France overall following the terror attacks in Paris on November 13, a day ‘Les Bleus’ also defeated Germany 2-0.

“It was a very tough game. Germany really made us suffer,” said Deschamps, who stuck with the starting 11 who defeated Iceland 5-2 in the quarterfinals. “But we never gave up. And we suffered together — the players on the pitch, the fans in the stands and watching at home. And that saw us through.

“We made history tonight. We don’t have the power to solve all the problems of the French people, but we can generate happiness and confidence. And that’s important.”

France will next face Portugal in the final at Stade de France in Paris on Sunday.

PHOTO: MARSEILLE, FRANCE – JULY 07: Antoine Griezmann of France runs with the ball under pressure from Toni Kroos of Germany during the UEFA EURO semi final match between Germany and France at Stade Velodrome on July 7, 2016 in Marseille, France. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)