Stoppage-time goals from Antoine Griezmann and Dimitri Payet hands France a 2-0 victory over Albania to secure their place in the Euro 2016 Last 16.
The last time the two side’s met in a international friendly it was Albania who prevailed 1-0 victors in June 2015 . Prior to that, France needed a late Antoine Griezmann goal to salvage a 1-1 draw back in 2014.
Having started the match on the bench, it was Griezmann who made the breakthrough against a resolute Albania when he headed home in the 90th minute.
Payet then added the second deep into stoppage-time when he curled the ball home.
France started the match of brightly getting plenty of early touches on the ball, with Anthony Martial and Kingsley Coman on the left and right respectively and Dimitri Payet sitting behind Olivier Giroud.
As expected France have been all over Albania in the opening stages of the match, with Giroud missing from close range from a Payet free-kick.
Against the run of play Ermir Lenjani shot from the edge of the box almost gave Albania the lead, but bobbles the ball through for Hugo Lloris.
Albania enjoyed a good spell of possession as they kept the ball rolling and work it around the pitch.
Albania’s first effort at goal came when Lenjani sliced a 25 yards shot into the stands rather than testing Lloris.
France endured a nervy moment as Elseid Hysaj’s cross took a deflection that sent it towards the near post. Armando Sadiku reacts quickest and almost turned the ball in, but Lloris was first to the ball.
France struggled from set pieces against Romania and were exposed as a low corner got through to Lejani but his first-time shot from around 10 yards was blocked.
Albania finishing the half off strongly and received a free-kick on the edge of the box, Ledian Memushaj stepped up to take the free-kick, but couldn’t get the ball up and under as the ball lands on the roof of the net.
France who got the second-half restarted, with Payet seemingly in a wider position on the left.
France missed a good chance to take the lead, just a minute into the second half when Giroud’s cross was flicked on and Coman got between two defenders, but headed the ball just past the post from about six yards out.
Albania so nearly took the lead in the 52nd minute when a ball into the box causes the France defence all kinds of problem as it deflected off Bacary Sagna and hit the woodwork and out for a corner.
Two minutes later, France responded as Paul Pogba half volley from a Payet cross was sent over the bar.
Just 14 minutes later and France missed another good chance as Coman put in a good cross, but Giroud flicks it just wide of the far post.
The chances continued with Giroud rose well to meet Patrice Evra’s cross and powered his header against the post in the 69th minute.
France enjoyed a threatening spell of possession as Sagna first-time volley from a Payet cross flew over the bar.
Six minutes from time and N’Golo Kante, the latest French player to have a crack at goal. Seeing his shot deflected and wrong footing the keeper, only for the ball to behind for a corner.
Albania with almost everyone behind the ball, got a chance to break but Kante stopped the move with a foul that earned him a yellow card.
With seconds to play Adil Rami crossed the ball into the box and found Griezmann wide open in the middle of the box and glances his headed effort into the corner, breaking the deadlock in the 90th minute.
With the match thought to be over, Payet applies the finishing touch again for France.
A wonderful ball forward from Pogba to pick out Andre-Pierre Gignac, who passed the ball inside for Payet, who then bent a shot past the keeper to double the host lead.
France held on to secure a 2-0 victory over Albania and booked their spot in the Last round of 16 in the Euro 2016.
The hosts will now meet Switzerland on Sunday in a match that will decide who finishes top of Group A.
Image: Uefa website
