EUROS 2016 are officially underway!
With leagues around the world officially over, all of Europe has been waiting to see how the national teams are going to fare in this year’s UEFA EURO 2016.
The host country France kicked off the action today, with a game against Romania and the hype for them couldn’t be any higher. Especially surrounding superstar Paul Pogba and what he would bring to the table for the national team. Most had them as favorites to win the tournament heading into the weekend, with the likes of Germany, Spain and Portugal.
Things didn’t start out so good for the Frenchmen, as the Romania defense gave them fits in the first half and stopped plenty of shots that could have easily been goals.
Olivier Giroud had a few headers that didn’t find themselves in the back of the net, even though Dimitri Payet was setting him up with plenty of chances in the first 45 minutes.
The second half was a different story.
Goal Giroud! France 1-0 Romania #EURO2016 #FRAROU pic.twitter.com/da91V8Rfsz
— EURO 2016 (@UEFAEuros_2016) June 10, 2016
With so many attempts, one Giroud attempt was bound to make its way in and at the 57′ minute, a cross from Payet finally found the net. The stadium completely exploded in celebration as the striker netted his eighth goal in eight games for France. It was short lived, though.
In the 64′ minute, Romania equalized thanks to a penalty kick by Stancu after Evra committed a foul inside the box. And just like that, the French crowd was snapped back into reality.
Goal Stancu! France 1-1 Romania #EURO2016 #FRAROU pic.twitter.com/Y6GOTdyavV
— EURO 2016 (@UEFAEuros_2016) June 10, 2016
With Antoine Griezmann not finding much success on the pitch, Kingsley Coman made his way to the field as substitute and France started attacking. But it all came on the back of Payet.
The Man of the Match scored a glorious goal when it counted the most and in crunch time, sending a magical strike from outside the box over the keeper in the 89th minute. It was complete pandemonium to end the game and a magical way to start EURO 2016.
Payet was substituted out moments after with the home crowd giving him a standing ovation, as tears ran down his face in an emotional moment.
Payet makes it France 2-1 Romania #EURO2016 #FRAROU incredible pic.twitter.com/hvmTiM8z14
— EURO 2016 (@UEFAEuros_2016) June 10, 2016
If the West Ham midfielder wasn’t on your radar before this, you can bet he is now.