France have advanced to face Portugal in the final of Euro 2016 after defeating Germany 2-0.
France deserve their win for staying in the contest when the pendulum was against them, and on evidence, Germany deserve to be knocked out, courtesy of two inexplicable errors from Bastian Schweinsteiger and Manuel Neuer.
A penalty on the stroke of halftime belied the story, and then the poor goalkeeping parry from Neuer sealed the result for France.
On both occasions, Antoine Griezmann was the hero, finishing off well from the penalty spot for the former, and tapping in through Neuer’s legs for the latter.
Final score: Germany 0-2 France
The second semi-final of Euro 2016 sees the reunion of two familiar friends/foes, as world champions Germany meet hosts France in Marseille for a place in Monday morning’s final against Portugal. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 5am (AEST) on Friday morning.
To peer through the history books would only tell so much about the relationship of these two nations – one that has been unified in firm friendship for more than 70 years, and rooted in enmity before that. If only Friday morning was solely about football, that would be a blessing. Regrettably, history was not kind to the last time these two teams met.
Friendly only in name it was, but November 13, 2015 at the Stade de France was supposed to be the final meeting of these two giants before France hosted the Euros. While the result read 2-0 to France, the outcome spoke of a story far more grim.
It was the evening when the French capital was simultaneously attacked across several locations when 130 people lost their lives. The Stade de France was not immune either, when three suicide bombs imploded outside the stadium. Marseille’s semi-final can never be an opportunity to right those unforgivable wrongs, but it does open the conversation to solely being about football, and nothing else.
France have entered the semi-finals on the back of outstanding form during the knockout rounds, having seen off Republic of Ireland and Iceland with consummate ease. Yet Les Bleus need no reminder how potentially meaningless this is against a side with a penchant for getting the job done.
While France has the form, and undoubtedly the available personnel to see off Germany, there remains the sense of trepidation of how Germany can unceremoniously end a campaign that has been sustained by a wave of fervour.
France coach Didier Deschamps has a full deck of players available, ensuring he can start with his preferred 4-3-3 formation. Two changes are likely for Les Bleus, with Adil Rami returning from suspension in place of Samuel Umtiti.
The other possible change may come in the centre of midfield. With the threat of Germany’s front three, led by Thomas Muller, Deschamps may be tempted to restore N’Golo Kante in place of Moussa Sissoko, who ran rampant against Iceland, but a greater moderation of defence in the midfield may be required against a higher standard opponent.
Otherwise, it seems plain sailing for Deschamps and France, with the excellent form of Antoine Griezmann and Olivier Giroud likely to be the key factors against a below-strength German defence.
Worries abound for Joachim Low following their arduous penalty shootout victory over Italy. The defence is likely to be reshaped, following the suspension of Mats Hummels, with Shkodran Mustafi likely to be returned, having featured and scored in Germany’s tournament opener against Ukraine.
But it’s in the midfield where the real shifting will occur, as captain Bastian Schweinsteiger and Sami Khedira are out with injury. Low will likely turn to the flexible midfielder Emre Can to partner Toni Kroos in the base of midfield, while Mesut Ozil may be required to play in a more central role in order to accommodate the likely return of Mario Gotze to the starting line-up in place of the injured Mario Gomez.
With wingers not likely to play a part from the off, it may once again confine the in-form Julian Draxler to a bench role.
Despite being well below full-strength, Germany will not be underestimated by a French team that have not beaten Die Mannschaft in a competitive fixture since 1958. History needs to be made by Les Bleus on Friday morning if they are to return to the Stade de France on Monday morning against Portugal.
Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 5am (AEST) on Friday morning.
Kurt
Guest
Near criminal cheating by the referee and French players. The European Championship is dead.
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
FULLTIME: Germany 0-2 France Thanks for your company. Be sure to check out the match wrap coming shortly. I'll be back on Monday morning at 5am to bring the small matter of the final - Portugal versus France. It wasn't the matchup many would have expected, but it is the irresistible Les Bleues unit that will come up against Cristiano Ronaldo's battled-hardened warriors, led by the sport's most identifiable player. At fulltime in Marseille, it finished Germany 0-2 France, and France are on their way to the Euro 2016 Final on Monday morning! See you then! FULLTIME: Germany 0-2 France
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
FULLTIME: Germany 0-2 France 1984 European Champions, 1998 World Cup Champions - that is evidence enough on what confronts Portugal on Monday morning. On evidence, France deserve their win for staying in the contest when the pendulum was against them, and on evidence, Germany deserve to be knocked out, courtesy of two inexplicable errors from Bastian Schweinsteiger and Manuel Neuer. A penalty on the stroke of halftime belied the story, and then the poor goalkeeping parry from Neuer sealed the result for France. On both occasions, Antoine Griezmann was the hero, finishing off well from the penalty spot for the former, and tapping in through Neuer's legs for the latter. FULLTIME: Germany 0-2 France
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
Where there is a major final in Paris, France will be there! They are here once again, as they run out 2-0 victors, knocking out the world champions Germany along the way! Up north they go! FULLTIME: Germany 0-2 France
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'90+2: Cabaye's first act is to push over Kroos, awaring Germa y a free kick. No real consideration, as it's floated in quickly. France clear it, and will be happy for Germany to probe around. Excellent save Lloris to deny Muller, and then the play continues, as Gotze then has a header that crosses past Lloris, and is out! That is that for Die Mannschaft - France are heading north for Paris. A minute left! Germany 0-2 France
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'90+1: France will take their final change to eat up valuable seconds. It is the hero Antoine Griezmann who is applauded off the Stade Velodrome, and is replaced by Yohan Cabaye. SUBSTITUTION (FRANCE) OFF: 7. Griezmann ON: 6. Cabaye Germany 0-2 France
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'90: Final minute of the second time proper, and now four minutes added. Four minutes to find the unlikeliest of comebacks. Germany 0-2 France
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'89: The play now is for mere formality's sake - both teams look to play this out. Germany take it forward, but this game was lost a while ago. Germany 0-2 France
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'86: Griezmann looks for a hat-trick, he bypasses the initial challenge from Mustafi, but then Mustafi can bring himself back behind the ball, and the shot from Griezmann was tired and straight at Neuer - he's only scored two goals before that. France now know this is wrapped up, and a three-day party up until kickoff in Saint Denis will begin. Germany 0-2 France
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'84: Germany possibly know the jig is up - there seems to be no overwhelming urgency to take this upfield. Germany 0-2 France
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'83: Another record to fall, a 58-year-record actually - it will be France's first victory against Germany in a competitive fixture in all that time. Germany bested by the sizzling French, plus this partisan crowd. That's what will await Portugal on Monday morning. Germany 0-2 France
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'82: Howedes over! Free kick from Kroos finally finds its mark, and Howedes gets over Pogba, but can't direct his header towards the goalmouth! Germany 0-2 France
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'81: Into the final 10 minutes in Marseille, and the result looks certain now, save for the unlikeliest of late interventions. Not sure if the penalty at halftime changed the German mindset, but the second defensive error by Manuel Neuer has sealed this for France. Germany 0-2 France
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'79: Sane replaces the captain Schweinsteiger. SUBSTITUTION (GERMANY) OFF: 7. Schweinsteiger ON: 20. Sane His first involvement is to gather in a free kick, but it goes slightly wide! Corner for Germany, and then Mustafi has a chance to smack it, but absolutely throttles it over the bar! That was nowhere close, and nearly brings Joachim Low to tears. If Germany do lose this, as looks likely, they will rue their own wastefulness in front of goal, plus two poor mistakes inside their penalty area. Germany 0-2 France
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'78: Final throw of the dice coming for Germany, as they will introduce Leroy Sane - a striker. That's all they need now on there. Germany 0-2 France
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'77: Second change now for France, as Giroud is replaced by Andre-Pierre Gignac. SUBSTITUTION (FRANCE) OFF: 9. Giroud 10. 10. Gignac Germany 0-2 France
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'76: This has to go in for Germany, if they are to overcome this. Draxler wide! Dummied several times, but eventually hit by Draxler - it was always curling wide of Lloris' post. France need only hold on now. Germany 0-2 France
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Crazy crazy stuff. Les Bleus with nearly half the possession and fewer shots on goal are leading 2:0 !!!!!!!!! Hahahahahahaha
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'74: Kimmich - off the post and out! A lovely shot in truth, but it's out and France now have the two-goal cushion! It's all or now nothing for the world champions. Germany will pay for two awful errors inside their penalty area. A free kick now for Germany, as Kante brings down Draxler. A yellow card for the new player Kante. Germany 0-2 France
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'72: GOAL - FRANCE (GRIEZMANN) Paris, they are coming! France are coming for their party, and it's a second to Antoine Griezmann. Poorly given away by Kimmich, with Sissoko on the left of the penalty area, who crosses - Neuer's attempted parry was too weak, and it was right in the path of Griezmann, who has the easiest of tap-ins, and France are coming! Germany 0-2 France