The European Championship kicked off and the opening game of the tournament was between hosts France and Romania, which witnessed David Guetta and Zara Larsson perform in the opening ceremony at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis earlier tonight.
France were caught off guard in the opening minutes of the game when team captain Hugo Lloris made a pin-point save from Bogdan Stancu. The home side then saw winger Antoine Griezmann squander two vital opportunities in quick succession towards the end of the half.
Arsenal forward Olivier Giroud opened the scoring for Les Bleus on the 57th minute after he headed the ball home after a cross from Dimitri Payet. The visitors were then handed a lifeline after Patrice Evra conceded a penalty and Bogdan Stancu converted the equalizer eight minutes later. Dimitri Payet then scored on the 89th minute with a sublime effort.
The affair was nothing but exciting and below are the three players that impressed the most.
Dimitri Payet
The ex-Marseille winger was by far the best player on the pitch tonight. His exquisite touch, impressive vision and effortless flair were the highlight of the French international’s night. He provided the assist with his left-foot for Olivier Giroud to score the opening goal of the night, before blasting the ball into the top corner also with his left-foot from 25 yards out.
Ngolo Kante
The Leicester midfield sensation continued his fine form from the English Premier League and was rock solid in the heart of France’s midfield, alongside Blaise Matuidi and Paul Pogba. He made a number of key interceptions and also played a part offensively with brilliant passes.
Ciprian Tatarusanu
The Romanian goalkeeper was in the form of his live after saving a number of efforts from the the likes of Antoine Griezmann, Olivier Giroud, Dimitri Payet and Paul Pogba. The 6-foot-6 man was also a commanding presence in the air and was clearly Romania’s best player.
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