Atoine Griezmann scored twice as France beat world champion Germany, 2-0, on Thursday to line up a European Championship final against Portugal.
Griezmann put France in front from the penalty spot in stoppage time at the end of the first half and then took full advantage of a German defensive blunder to score his second with a calm finish in the 72nd minute.
France reached its first final for a decade and is chasing its first major trophy since Euro 2000, while Germany missed its chance to add the European title to the World Cup it won in 2014.
Griezmann has now scored six goals at Euro 2016 — twice as many as any other player at the tournament — and could have completed a hat trick on a break in the 86th but shot straight at goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.
Germany could have scored more than once as it dominated the first half. But it was denied by poor shooting from Thomas Mueller, who ended his tournament scoreless, and a save by Hugo Lloris to deny Emre Can’s bouncing shot.
France took the lead from the penalty spot after Bastian Schweinsteiger handled the ball in an aerial challenge with Patrice Evra.
Griezmann stepped up to score, striking the penalty hard to Neuer’s right.
The German defense had not conceded from open play all tournament, but it fell apart for Griezmann’s second goal in the 72nd minute. Benedikt Hoewedes’ sluggish pass to right back Joshua Kimmich was cut out by Paul Pogba and Neuer could only palm away the midfielder’s cross to Griezmann, who finished with ease.
Germany responded well and could have pulled one back when Kimmich hit the post, before Julian Draxler sent a free-kick narrowly wide and Hoewedes headed over.
France’s players celebrated at the end with the fans by performing the “Hu” chant made famous at the tournament by Iceland. (AP)
