Euro Cup 2016: France Beats Germany 2-0 To Reach Finals

Marseille: On Thursday, France defeated Germany 2-0 to reach finals of the Euro Cup 2016.

A strong, determined performance from France was enough to beat a Germany side who enjoyed plenty of possession, but created little. The hosts will play Portugal in the final on Sunday.

France began the game well, lovely interplay between Blaise Matuidi and Antoine Griezmann taking them across the pitch and into the box before the ball caught under the latter's feet, allowing Manuel Neuer to push his shot away. Subsequently, Germany took over, the clever angles of passing and movement taken by Bastian Schweinsteiger and Toni Kroos too much for France, who simply sat deep, hoping to survive and then break.

In that period, Germany could not create much, lacking ideas around the box and a serious centre-forward, though Samuel Umtiti was outstanding in the French defence and in front of him, Moussa Sissoko chased and tracked diligently.

Then, on the stroke of half-time, Patrice Evra, a growing offensive influence, rose to attack a header and Schweinsteiger rose with him, throwing up an arm that made contact with the ball. The referee pointed to the spot, and Griezmann slammed it left-footed into the net.

And that, more or less was that. The Marseille crowd enjoyed 20 minutes of collective bliss, and France will fancy themselves hard in the final.

This is the third time France has made it to the Euro Cup Finals, after 1984 and 2000, where both the times they claimed victory. The finals will take place on July 10. France is vying for their third trophy, while Portugal are vying for their debut title. Portugal has made it to the final only once in 2004, where they lost to Greece 0-1. In 1984 finals, France defeated Spain 2-0 to win the title and in 2000, France defeated Italy 2-1 (Overtime) to win their second title.

This is the 15^th edition of the tournament.