Friday 8 July 2016 11:36, UK
Antoine Griezmann scored twice as France beat Germany 2-0 in Marseille to set up a Euro 2016 final against Portugal.
The Atletico Madrid forward opened the scoring from the penalty spot in first-half stoppage time, and he struck France's second midway through the second period as Germany lost their fourth major tournament semi-final in 10 years.
From Griezmann's inspirational performance to Samuel Umtiti's impact in France's defence, here are five talking points from the game…
Griezmann's brilliant tournament hit new heights in Marseille. The Atletico Madrid forward's penalty - taken less than six weeks after he missed from the spot in the Champions League final against Real Madrid - was coolly converted despite the immense pressure of the occasion, and his second goal showed his poaching instincts in the opposition's box.
It was Griezmann's sixth goal of Euro 2016, meaning he has scored twice as many as any other player at the tournament. He has netted more than Zinedine Zidane and as many as Thierry Henry in European Championship finals, and his total of five in the knockout stages is more than any other player in history.
Germany simply couldn't contain him. Even in the long periods France spent under pressure, Griezmann was a constant threat on the counter-attack. He had more shots on goal (seven) than any other player on the pitch, and nobody completed more dribbles (five). When he was substituted in stoppage time, it was to a deafening ovation.
The penalty decision caused widespread surprise in first-half stoppage time. Referee Nicola Rizzoli appeared to have given France a corner, but it soon became clear he had awarded a penalty as Bastian Schweinsteiger was booked prompting furious Germany players to surround the official in protest.
Replays showed Joachim Low's side could have few complaints. Schweinsteiger's right arm was raised above his head as the ball struck it. It was an unnatural position not dissimilar to Jerome Boateng's handball for Italy's penalty in the quarter-finals, and it proved costly. Germany had dominated the first half, but the timing of the goal tipped the momentum in France's favour.
Germany had 68 per cent of the possession and completed more passes in the first half than France managed in the entire game, but they couldn't make their domination count.
The injury to Mario Gomez took its toll. Germany lacked a lethal presence in France's penalty box, with Thomas Muller's poor form continuing in their only out-and-out striker's absence. Muller missed a number of scoring chances, and his struggles were summed up by a moment in the first half when he hit a cross against his own leg.
Germany laid siege to the France goal in the closing stages, but substitutes Shkodran Mustafi and Mario Gotze spurned simple opportunities. Joshua Kimmich struck the outside of the post with one effort and Hugo Lloris made a string of saves, but Germany's lack of cutting edge was obvious.
Euro 2016 has not been easy for Paul Pogba, but he appears to be hitting his stride at exactly the right time. The 23-year-old scored his first goal of the tournament against Iceland in the quarter-finals, and this was another performance to provide a glimpse of why Manchester United are willing to pay £100m to take him back to Old Trafford.
Pogba's best moment came when he eluded Mustafi with some brilliant skill before producing the cross for Griezmann's second goal, and he almost added a third himself with an audacious long-range effort struck with the outside of his boot. Thierry Henry believes he has the potential to be "one of the best midfielders in history". He's not alone.
It has been quite a week for Samuel Umtiti. The French defender sealed a £20.5m from Lyon to Barcelona last Thursday, on Sunday he made his international debut against Iceland, and here he was in the Euro 2016 semi-final producing an outstanding performance alongside Laurent Koscielny.
The 22-year-old took everything that Germany threw at him, showing discipline and bravery in the face of long spells of pressure. He was constantly alert at the near post, and his total of nine clearances included crucial interventions from dangerous Kimmich and Julian Draxler crosses either side of half-time.
It was a handsome reward for Deschamps' decision to start him ahead of Adil Rami. Umtiti's distribution was also excellent. He posted an incredible 100 per cent pass success rate against Iceland, and he completed 89 per cent of his passes against Germany. His third international cap will be the Euro 2016 final. It's easy to see how he caught Barcelona's eye.
