Agence France-Presse
Paris, June 11: Hosts France enjoyed an uplifting start to Euro 2016 as Dimitri Payet’s superb last-gasp strike bailed out Les Bleus in a 2-1 victory over a stubborn Romania side at the Stade de France on a peaceful night here, Friday.
The national team lightened the mood thanks to Payet’s 20-metre drive into the top corner. Didier Deschamps’ team seemed to be heading for a gloomy draw but a moment of magic from talismanic Payet left the home fans celebrating a memorable win on a serene Paris evening to get the finals off to a fine start.
There were no incidents reported in and around the stadium, where there was a heavy security presence, or at the fan zone, where some 90,000 people were expected to watch the Group A game on giant screens near the Eiffel tower. French president Francois Hollande was seen shaking hands with fans.
There were only cheers inside the stadium, however, as Payet wrapped up the three points following Olivier Giroud’s headed opening goal for the hosts just before the hour that was cancelled out by Bogdan Stancu’s penalty eight minutes later.
After 57 minutes Giroud silenced his critics when he headed home from Payet’s cross. Eight minutes later, however, Stancu coolly converted a penalty after Patrice Evra’s clumsy foul on Nicolae Stanciu.
Collecting the ball from N’Golo Kante, Payet cut inside and struck a vicious drive into the top corner, sending the crowd into raptures.
Fabian Schaer’s early goal earned Switzerland a 1-0 victory over 10-man Albania Saturday to move joint top of Euro 2016 Group A. Defender Schaer headed home Xherdan Shaqiri’s corner in the fifth minute to give his team the three points. Meanwhile, Albania captain Lorik Cana received the first red card of the tournament when he committed a second bookable offence in the 36th minute for handball.
In another encounter, Wales defeated Slovakia 2-1 at Bordeaux. Real Madrid star Gareth Bale (10th) put Wales in the lead which was later denied by Ondrej Duda (61st). Substitute Hal Robson-Kanu (81st) struck the winner.
