A 90th-minute header by substitute striker Antoine Griezmann and a stoppage-time special by Dimitri Payet secured France a heartstopping 2-0 win over Albania on Wednesday (June 15) that sent the hosts through as the first team into the last 16 of Euro 2016.
France had struggled to make any impression on a determined Albanian defence and as the clock ticked into the last minute neither team had managed a shot on target — though both hit a post.
They had needed an 89th-minute Payet goal to beat Romania in their first game and it was even later when centre back Adil Rami swung in a hopeful cross that Griezmann guided expertly home.
The 67,000 Stade Velodrome crowd — minus 20,000 stunned Albanians — erupted in a wave of noise, which was repeated minutes later when Payet cut inside to smash in the second.
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