Dimitri Payet Propels France Past Romania in 2-1 Win To Open EURO 2016

Dimitri Payet’s name will now be on the mouths of millions.

Payet parked a pea in the side netting of keeper Ciprian Tatarusanu’s goal in the 89th minute of EURO 2016’s opening match at Stade de France in Paris, Friday, breaking a 1-1 tie with Romania and propelling France to an opening night victory to remember.

WATCH PAYET’S GAME-WINNER HERE
https://www.espnfc.com/match?gameId=438204

The two sides appeared destined to draw for the fifth time in six meetings when, in the 85th minute, Romania striker Bogdan Stancu found himself all alone with France captain and keeper Hugo Lloris, just six yards away from the goal mouth.

Stancu, who scored the equalizer on a penalty kick in the 65th minute, launched a shot right into Lloris’ body, which the goalie deflected and Romania would not be afforded another such opportunity.

Olivier Giroud opened the scoring in the 57th minute, putting France ahead 1-nil until Stancu’s penalty tied the match at 1-1.

Four minutes after Stancu’s mono e mono mishap with Lloris, Payet received the ball from teammate N’Golo Kante, took one quick touch with his right foot to setup a left-footed shot, then uncorked a spinless cracker into the upper 90 on the left side of the net to carry the French to victory.

If the opening match is any indication, France are in fact the favorites, and this should be an exciting Euro Cup.

Article by Kevin Xavier