 | « Back to article | Print this article |
Hosts France became the first team to qualify for the Euro 2016 knockout stage after two late goals helped them seal victory over dogged Albania in Marseille on Wednesday.
- Turning point: The ploy that worked for Deschamps's France
It was yet another unconvincing display from the hosts, who looked tight in a last-gasp 2-1 win against Romania at the Stade de France in the opening game of the tournament last week.
But it was man-of-the-match Dimitri Payet who scored his second goal in as many matches to put the Frenchmen through to the knockouts.
And Payet relished his return to the home of his former club Olympique de Marseille.
"It was a special feeling to come back here and it was a very emotional moment to score a goal," he said.
"I am very happy because we pushed hard in the second half and were rewarded. In the second half we tried to work down the flanks more and we got more crosses in. That's why we were able to score."
France coach Didier Deschamps also had words of praise for the West Ham midfielder, who also scored in the team’s opening match against Romania on the opening day of the tournament.
"Payet is becoming more consistent and he has a lot of confidence," Deschamps said.
"I am going to put him on ice to keep him fresh and maintain his performance levels."