France 2 Romania 1: West Ham's Dimitri Payet scores stunning goal to earn Euro 2016 hosts late win
France secured a 2-1 victory over Romania in the opening game of Euro 2016 courtesy of a stunning Dimitri Payet strike at the Stade de France tonight.
Les Bleus dazzled in patches but struggled against a stubborn Romanian side but managed lay down a marker in Group A.
The hosts began nervously and almost fell behind when Bogdan Stancu ghosted in at the back post only to be denied by Hugo Lloris.
Despite such an early scare, France grew into the game and began to control possession, courtesy of Paul Pogba's imposing presence in the centre of the park.
Antoine Griezmann went close after Vlad Chiriche's half clearance fell kindly to him but the Atletico Madrid forward's header cannoned back off the post.
France continued to create plenty of opportunities in the first half but Romania, who conceded just twice in qualifying, remained relatively comfortable.
Didier Deschamps resisted the temptation to make changes at the interval and it was Romania who began brightly after the break when Stancu flashed an acrobatic attempt wide.
France finally made the breakthrough when Olivier Giroud rose highest to meet Dimitri Payet's cross and nodded home to send the Paris crowd into raptures.
The Arsenal striker's goal should have been a platform to build on during the closing stages but the hosts hung onto their lead for less than 10 minutes after Patrice Evra clattered into Nicolae Stanciu and conceded a penalty.
Stancu kept his cool and sent Lloris the wrong way to draw the Romanians level with 25 minutes left on the clock.
France looked destined to come up short until Payet curled home a superb effort to break Romanian hearts and put Les Bleus in control of their Group.
In Pictures: France vs Romania
In Pictures: France vs Romania
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Dimitri Payet and Olivier Giroud celebrate the West Ham star's wonder goal.
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Payet can't believe his stunning strike.
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Didier Deschamps congratulates Payet.
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The West Ham magician left the pitch in tears.
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Payet is mobbed by joyous team-mates.
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Dimitri Payet scored a magical late winner.
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Woe for France after giving away their lead so quickly.
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Bogdan Stancu makes it 1-1 from the spot.
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Delight for Romania after a hard-fought equaliser.
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Olivier Giorud heads in the opener.
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The Arsenal forward was overjoyed.
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Antoine Griezmann hits the post for France.
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Dimitri Payet tries to keep the ball in play.
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Didier Deschamps' France XI line up prior to kickoff.
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Adil Rami keeps possession on the stretch.
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Hugo Lloris makes a stunning early stop.
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The French defence looked nervy as Lloris was forced to bail them out.
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Giroud looks for an answer.
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Olivier Giroud was frustrated as he spurned an early chance.
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Giroud and Griezmann both went close for France in the first half.
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Didier Deschamps looks on ahead of the opener.
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David Guetta gets the crowd pumped up.
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One fan can't contain his wonder.
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It was an intriguing opening ceremony...
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Are you not entertained?!
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The opening ceremony went from strength to strength.
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A young Bleus fan shows his passion.
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A French supporter wishes the players and her nation good luck.
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The French supporters were in fine voice.
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An array of eclectic costumes graces the opening ceremony.
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Romania fans were't there to just let France coast to a win.
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Pre-match passion.
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Face paint was generously applied.
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