Antoine Griezmann’s terrific tournament got a grade better in Marseille as he scored two goals past a helpless Manuel Neuer, to send France into the final. The Germans arguably played the better football on the day, but were unceremoniously knocked out.
It was total German domination in the first half. The two centre-backs Jerome Boateng and Benedikt Howedes camped themselves inside France’s half, playing one of the highest lines in the competition. Toni Kroos and Mesut Ozil were pivotal in creating chances, but Thomas Muller’s woeful run continued. The Bayern Munich attacker was deployed as a number 9 in Mario Gomez’s absence, and he did very little to test Hugo Lloris in the French goal.
Despite the German’s dictating play, it was Didier Deschamps’ France that took the shock lead. Die Mannschaft captain Bastian Schweinsteiger needlessly handled the ball inside the penalty area and gave away a penalty. Atletico Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann stepped up to the occasion, and coolly slotted it past Manuel Neuer.
Take a look at the goal:
It was more of the same in the second half as Germany kept throwing men forward in search of an equaliser. France defended resolutely and managed to hit the Germans on the break to net their second half. Paul Pogba’s cheeky ball into the 18-yard-area, was horribly dealt with by the defenders, and Griezmann found the loose ball to slot it between Neuer’s legs to double his sides advantage.
Watch Griezmann complete his brace:
There were few golden opportunities late on for Germany, but they seemed to lack the will and nerve to put the ball past Hugo Lloris.
