France ensured progression to the knockout stage of the UEFA Euro 2016 with a dramatic 2-0 win over Albania courtesy of goals from Antoine Griezmann and Dimitri Payet in the dying stages of the game. The loss means Albania have almost been knocked out of the tournament.
This was Les Blues’ second consecutive victory in the tournament, having already won their opener against Romania when Payet lifted the roof of the Stade de France with his 89th-minute screamer.
France dominated the game, but were unable to find a way past the resilient Albanian defence. Griezmann, who was dropped to the bench for the clash after a dismal performance in the opener, came on as a second-half substitute to open the scoring for Didier Deschamps’ side in the 90th minute heading home Adil Rami’s cross.
Payet continued his brilliant vein of form in the tournament and scored a superb counter-attacking goal in the 95th minute to put the game beyond Albania’s reach.
Here are how the players fared during the game:
France
Hugo Lloris – 6/10
The Tottenham Hotspur man didn’t have to do much the entire game as Albania were happy to sit back and absorb pressure. He was at hand to keep out a deflected cross before being saved by his post.
Bacary Sagna – 6.5/10
Was solid on the right and carried out his defensive duties with relative ease. Made a vital block to deny Lenjani in the second half.
Adil Rami – 6.5/10
Delivered an excellent cross for Griezmann to head home the opener but otherwise didn’t have much to do.
Laurent Koscielny – 7/10
The Arsenal defender was solid at the back winning aerial duels comfortably but squandered a few good opportunities to help France take the lead as he couldn’t keep his header on target.
Patrice Evra – 5/10
The former Manchester United left-back’s poor start to the Euro 2016 continues as he endured a torrid time against Lila and Hysaj on the left-hand side of France’s defence.
Blaise Matuidi – 6.5/10
Was relentless in midfield, pressing opponents into making mistakes and was at hand to break up Albania’s play.
N’Golo Kante – 6.5/10
Marshalled the midfield alongside Matuidi and apart from letting Lenjani to get away from him in the first half, didn’t do much wrong.
Kingsley Coman – 5.5/10
After impressing with his cameo against Romania, the 20-year-old was handed a start but he didn’t do justice with his opportunity. Headed wide from close range and produced a magnificent piece of skill, but was subdued mostly.
Dimitri Payet – 8.5/10
The star of the first match is looking unstoppable at the moment. Created many chances for his side before scoring with the last kick of the game after a brilliant counter-attack by his side.
Anthony Martial – 4.5/10
The Manchester United man took too long to pull the trigger having been played through on goal by Payet. He was anonymous for most parts of the game on the left wing.
Olivier Giroud – 5/10
The 29-year-old missed a number of chances to break the deadlock, but couldn’t manage to get his header on target. The one time he did manage to direct it towards the goal, it cannoned off the post.
Substitutes
Paul Pogba – 6/10
Came on to replace Martial at half-time and played an excellent pass in the build up to Payet’s goal. The Juventus midfielder did miss a few chances.
Antoine Griezmann – 7/10
Came off the bench to replace Coman in the 68th minute and repaid his manager’s faith with his headed opener in the 90th minute.
Andre-Pierre Gignac – N/A
Came on as a 77th-minute substitute for Giroud and caused problems for the opposition with his movement.
Albania
Etrit Berisha – 7/10
Was equal to whatever France dished out at him for the first 89 minutes but couldn’t do much about the two goals conceded after that.
Elseid Hysaj – 6.5/10
Was a constant menace on the overlap and kept Evra occupied for most parts of the game. However, the 22-year-old appeared to shun his defensive duties at the fag end of the game.
Arlind Ajeti – 8/10
The central defender was confident at the back and made a series of vital interceptions, clearances and blocks to keep his side in the game. Had to be substituted after suffering from concussion providing France with the opportunity to break the deadlock.
Mergim Mavraj – 7/10
Was solid in defending and came up trumps with a number of vital interceptions to keep the French players at bay, while also not allowing them the room to assert themselves on the game.
Ansi Agolli – 6.5/10
Didn’t contribute much offensively, but was reliable defensively and pressed the opposition relentlessly.
Burim Kukeli – 6.5/10
The midfielder shielded the back four admirably, breaking up the play with ease and was relentless in chasing loose balls
Andi Lila – 5/10
Failed to impress on the right wing before being replaced by Roshi in the 71st minute.
Amir Abrashi – 6/10
Had to relinquish his forward positioning to help out the team while defending and hence failed to have a telling impact on the game.
Ledian Memushaj – 6/10
Saw his first-half free-kick sail over the bar and created some problems for the French when they committed too many players forward.
Ermir Lenjani – 7/10
Was a constant menace for the opposition defence, but was let down by his shooting. He took on Sagna to get on the end of a cross which ended up ricocheting off the post.
Armando Sadiku – 5.5/10
Was a good outlet for Albania, but struggled in the absence of good service.
Substitutes
Odise Roshi – 5.5/10
Came on to replace Lila in the 71st minute. Apart from a couple of bursts into the opposition box didn’t have much impact.
Taulant Xhaka – N/A
Came on as a 74th-minute substitute for Kukeli, but couldn’t make a significant contribution.
Frederic Veseli – N/A
Replaced Ajeti in the 85th minute, but didn’t have enough time to make a telling impact.
