If there's any way to win a football match, Payet just showed us how. Not only did he score one of the goals of the tournament already but he put in a man of a match performance that will boost the confidence of a nation, despite France not looking too smooth in their performance.
France were clearly nervous and the bravery that Romania showed in attack didn't help matters. Romania were not here to simply just be the sideshow to France's main act. They made it hard for France and showed in their own way they can play some football.
There were periods were the ball was in France's half for a lot of time and Romania played smart and patient football showing really good organised passing. It wasn't what France were expecting and Deschamps didn't help matters with his conservative approach that didn't offer any kind of counter-attack against a Romanian team that were stepping up.
But all you need is that one player.
Every single time this boy received the ball he looked to make things happen. He showed great skills, amazing passing range switching it effortlessly and was the real spark to France's play.
First it was a lovely cross to Giroud for the first goal. That has been my mantra. If you play to Giroud's strengths, you will get the good stuff from him. The delivery was perfect and Giroud was there to be the braver ahead of the keeper and put it in.
Then concedining a penalty, and with time running out, a hero had to step up. It looked like that match was heading for a draw but Payet showed what true special players can do. As soon as he connected so sweetly with that ball, as long as it was on target it would ripple the net. The result was a shot so good that the keeper did not even dream of moving.
Utter perfection.
France have work to do and this was nowhere near the most ideal performance. But Payet was a very bright spark and Deschamps must pray that it is he, not Pogba or Griezmann, that is fit and can be the magician to define this team. HH
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