The Germany national team have been eliminated from EURO 2016 after a 2-0 semi-final defeat against hosts France. Antoine Griezmann scored both goals either side of half time, with Joachim Löw’s side unable to respond at the other end.
France started the better team, putting Die Mannschaft under intense pressure in the opening minutes. Manuel Neuer was forced to make a save from Griezmann’s low-driven strike. But it didn’t take long for the world champions to settle down and get a grip of the game.
Can with Germany’s first big chance
Thomas Müller fired an effort wide following EURO 2016 debutant Emre Can’s through ball, before Can himself then put Hugo Lloris to work with a stunning effort from the edge of the box. France were forced to play a deep line to soak up the pressure, but were a constant threat on the counter.
Schweinsteiger concedes penalty
The hosts barely tested Neuer’s goal until the end of the second half. Griezmann hit the side netting after some fine link-up play with Patrice Evra. Moments later Benedikt Höwedes sprinted half the length of the pitch to deny France the opener with a sensational last-ditch challenge.
But just before the half time whistle was blown, France were handed the breakthrough moment when Bastian Schweinsteiger conceded a penalty for handling the ball in the box, and Griezmann converted clinically.
Boateng limps off injured
The second half began similarly to the first: France dominating in attack, with Jerome Boateng getting enough contact to deny Giroud’s shot towards goal. Germany proceeded to regain control of the match, but were unable to find the final pass and carve out any real chances.
Things went from bad to worse for Germany shortly after the hour mark when Boateng was forced off the pitch with an injury. Shkodran Mustafi came on to replace him. It wasn't long, however, before Löw decided to bolster the attack with another chance, replacing Can with Mario Götze.
Griezmann puts France out of sight
With their backs against the wall, Germany piled forward in search of an equaliser; France sitting deep and looking to break quickly whenever they regained possession.
The Germany national team have been eliminated from EURO 2016 after a 2-0 semi-final defeat against hosts France. Antoine Griezmann scored both goals either side of half time, with Joachim Löw’s side unable to respond at the other end.
France started the better team, putting Die Mannschaft under intense pressure in the opening minutes. Manuel Neuer was forced to make a save from Griezmann’s low-driven strike. But it didn’t take long for the world champions to settle down and get a grip of the game.
Can with Germany’s first big chance
Thomas Müller fired an effort wide following EURO 2016 debutant Emre Can’s through ball, before Can himself then put Hugo Lloris to work with a stunning effort from the edge of the box. France were forced to play a deep line to soak up the pressure, but were a constant threat on the counter.
Schweinsteiger concedes penalty
The hosts barely tested Neuer’s goal until the end of the second half. Griezmann hit the side netting after some fine link-up play with Patrice Evra. Moments later Benedikt Höwedes sprinted half the length of the pitch to deny France the opener with a sensational last-ditch challenge.
But just before the half time whistle was blown, France were handed the breakthrough moment when Bastian Schweinsteiger conceded a penalty for handling the ball in the box, and Griezmann converted clinically.
Boateng limps off injured
The second half began similarly to the first: France dominating in attack, with Jerome Boateng getting enough contact to deny Giroud’s shot towards goal. Germany proceeded to regain control of the match, but were unable to find the final pass and carve out any real chances.
Things went from bad to worse for Germany shortly after the hour mark when Boateng was forced off the pitch with an injury. Shkodran Mustafi came on to replace him. It wasn't long, however, before Löw decided to bolster the attack with another chance, replacing Can with Mario Götze.
Griezmann puts France out of sight
With their backs against the wall, Germany piled forward in search of an equaliser; France sitting deep and looking to break quickly whenever they regained possession.
Germany’s hopes were dashed in the 72nd minute when a mistake from Joshua Kimmich in his own penalty area led to a loss of possession. Paul Pogba pounced and crossed the ball into the box, Neuer was unable to clear effectively and Griezmann swept in to tap home his second of the game.
Germany continued to apply pressure, with Kimmich hitting the woodwork immediately after France’s goal, and substitute Leroy Sané also coming close with his first touch of the game. Mustafi fired over from a corner into the box and Höwedes also saw his header from Toni Kroos’ free kick fly inches over the crossbar. In the end it just wasn’t to be and France were the team that progressed to Sunday’s EURO 2016 final against Portugal.
