Griezmann scores twice to lift France into Euro final

Updated: 2016-07-08 07:29

(Xinhua)

French coach Didier Deschamps (R) and German coach Joachim Loew react after the UEFA EURO 2016 semi final match between Germany and France at Stade Velodrome in Marseille, France, July 7, 2016. [Photo/IC]

German coach Joachim Low stuck with the 4-2-3-1 formation. Lone forward Mario Gomez had been ruled out with a torn hamstring, while Sami Khedira also missed out through injury and Mats Hummels was suspended with the second yellow card. Schweinsteiger was fit to the starting line-up, as was Julian Draxler, while midfielder Emre Can came in for his first appearance in the tournament. Thomas Muller was deployed as the lone striker as he continued his search for his first goal.

France coach Didier Deschamps stuck with the same team that thumped Iceland 5-2 in the quarterfinals. Samuel Umtiti kept his place alongside Laurent Koscielny ahead of Adil Rami in the heart of defence, while Moussa Sissoko was preferred to N'Golo Kante in midfield. The 4-2-3-1 formation seemed to suit the French side.

The tough duel was a quite purposeful match from both sides. Neither seemed willing to sit back and were looking to gain the edge from the very beginning.

Although Germany boasted 68 percent of ball possession but France looked more effective.

France will face Portugal, who beat Wales 2-0 last night, in the final in Saint Denis on July 10.