UEFA Euro 2016: France wins opening match 2-1 vs Romania

Monday, June 13, 2016

File photo of Dimitri Payet, the Man of the Match.
Image: Xavier NALTCHAYAN.

On Friday, France defeated Romania 2–1 in the opening match of UEFA Euro 2016. Dimitri Payet received the Man of the Match award after providing the assist for the opening goal and subsequently scoring the winner for the hosts in the 89th minute.

I have no doubt of Dimitri Payet, of his decisive influence on the game.

—Didier Deschamps, France manager

The match was held at the Stade de France in the French capital, Paris. The French had the greater ball possession during the match. Four yellow cards were shown during the match. Romanian center back Vlad Chiricheș was the first one to be booked by the referee. The first half ended 0–0 with two bookings, both for the visitors; Răzvan Raț was shown a yellow card minutes before half time.

In the second half, striker Olivier Giroud scored the opening goal of the tournament from Payet's cross. Within ten minutes of the opening goal, France's Patrice Evra fouled Nicolae Stanciu in the penalty area. Bogdan Stancu equalised from the penalty spot. The match seemed to be heading towards a draw, but just before the end of play, N'Golo Kanté assisted Payet and he went on to score the winner, rifling a left-foot shot into the top left-hand corner of the net.

Three minutes later, he was substituted for Moussa Sissoko. The match ended 2–1.

After the match, France manager Didier Deschamps said, "I have no doubt of Dimitri Payet, of his decisive influence on the game." ((fr))French language: ‍Je n'ai pas de doute sur Dimitri Payet, sur l'influence dans le jeu qu'il peut avoir et le fait d'être décisif.



July 10, 2016
France 2–1 Romania Stade de France, Paris
Attendance: 75,113
Referee: Viktor Kassai, Hungary
Olivier Giroud Scored after 57 minutes 57' Booked after 68' or 69 minutes 68' or 69'
Substituted off after 90+2 minutes 90+2' Dimitri Payet Scored after 89 minutes 89'
Substituted on after 90+2 minutes 90+2' Moussa Sissoko
Substituted off after 66 minutes 66' Antoine Griezmann
Substituted on after 66 minutes 66' Kingsley Coman
Substituted off after 77 minutes 77' Paul Pogba
Substituted on after 77 minutes 77' Anthony Martial
0–0 (HT) Bogdan Stancu Scored after 65 minutes 65' (pen.)
Vlad Chiricheș Booked after 32 minutes 32'
Răzvan Raț Booked after 45 minutes 45'
Substituted off after 61 minutes 61' Florin Andone
Substituted on after 61 minutes 61'Denis Alibec
Substituted off after 72 minutes 72' Nicolae Stanciu
Substituted on after 72 minutes 72' Alexandru Chipciu
Substituted off after 82 minutes 82' Adrian Popa Booked after 78 minutes 78'
Substituted on after 82 minutes 82' Gabriel Torje

Sources