Dimitri Payet’s stunning 25 metre strike a minute from time got hosts France off to a winning start at Euro 2016 on Friday as they beat Romania 2-1.
Payet was France’s standout performer all night. His cross also created the opener for Olivier Giroud before Bogdan Stancu’s penalty looked to have handed Romania a point.
However, the mercurial West Ham playmaker produced a moment of brilliance as he smashed the ball into the top corner to ensure France’s month-long festival of football got off to a flier.
Romania were exceptional in the first half and incredibly brave. We thought their resolve would go after they conceded but they kept at it and got back into it. It was a soft one but it was a penalty. Romania will cause Albania and Switzerland problems. There is no reason why they can t get out of the group.
Much-maligned striker Olivier Giroud has now scored eight goals in his last six starts for France.
Meawhile, at 19 years and 362 days, Kingsley Coman became the youngest player to play for France in a major international tournament.
