PAYET’S LATE LATE SHOW SAVES FRANCE’S BLUSHES

With the opening game of the 15^th edition of the 2016 Euro Cup opener between the home team France and Romania headed for a one all draw, French midfielder Dimitri Payet who also plies his trade for EPL London side, West Ham drew the last dagger to settle the contest, much to the chagrin of the combative Romanians.

Momentary lapse by Romania gave Payet a date with destiny

Payet produced a virtuoso performance, playing with purpose and making endless runs throughout like he had an extra set of lungs. His touches, dinks, range of passing, dribbling, an assist and finally, the 20 yard left footed thunderbolt that left the keeper rooted, all added up to a man of the match performance!

Paul who? Step aside Pogba! This was the “late late Payet show”! With Pogba the star player and supposed midfield dynamo seemingly tiring as the game wore, Payet simply shifted gear and continued with his commanding performance bossing the midfield like he owned it!

With the many intelligent passes that got threaded into space by both Payet and Pogba, French Coach Didier Deschamps is best advised to play Anthony Marshall as his main striker instead of the lumbering Olivier Giroud, alongside Antoine Griezmann.

The switch Deschamps needs to consider in the coming matches

Despite Giroud scoring the match opener early in the second half, he struggled to keep up with the pace of the game and couldn’t read the many intelligent passes Pogba and Payet kept lobbing into space. While Griezmann ran tirelessly and was ably reading the passes, his taller compatriot looked clueless. Also, the Romanians resolute defending and tireless pressing seemed to suck the life out Giroud as frustration built up. His goal from a Payet cross from deep reeked of a foul on the Romanian shot stopper, Ciprian Tatarusanu who was complicit to the fact for not punching the ball out and clearing the danger and therefore paid the price for his indecision.

Payet epitomizes raw passion rare in an era of mercenary footballers

With the game set for a one all draw, Payet, in his own words, frustrated by the pressure of the occasion could not see how his nation would settle for an embarrassing draw in front of a raucously partisan capacity crowd. With the Romanians perhaps tiring from all the pressing and soaking up pressure, a momentary lapse in attention gifted Payet.

He pounced on a loose ball, just outside the area then kissing it beautifully with the outside of his left foot with the carving trajectory and velocity of the ball rocketing to the top right corner, beyond a helpless Tatarusanu who had otherwise had a commendable game stopping several gilt edged goal bound shots. 

Easily a goal of the tournament!

Marco Tardelli's tear filled celebration against Germany at Espana '82

If his goal was a masterpiece, his tearful celebration and sheer emotion was a picture of pure passion, grit and determination! This was a man on a date with destiny!

His emotional reaction, football’s version of a "tear jerker", evoked memories of former Italian midfielder Marco Tardelli’s equally tearful and emotional celebration after scoring Italy’s second goal in their 3-1 victory over West Germany at the 1982 World Cup final.

Veteran left back and team Captain Patrice Evra as predicted simply had a game to forget and it came as no surprise when he needlessly planted his knee on an advancing Nicolae Stanciu in the box from an Adrian Popa cross gifting the Romanians a much needed penalty and a chance at redemption, which they were only too glad to take.  

No where to hide, after a terrible game Evra has a big decision to make

Popa was a constant threat and had the best of Evra on several occasions with his speed and trickery a thorn on Frenchman’s side. This deficiency could not have gone unnoticed by home side’s other Group A opponents, particularly Switzerland who will surely deploy their best weapon, Xhedran Shakiri on the right wing where he relishes running at opposing defenders then cuts in towards goal. That should be an interesting contest, a mismatch if any.