Griezmann fires France into Euro quarters

By our correspondents
June 27, 2016

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LYON, France: Antoine Griezmann scored twice in four minutes as Euro 2016 hosts France came from behind to claim a 2-1 win over ten-man Republic of Ireland on Sunday.

The goal hero said tough half-time words were exchanged at half-time to lay on the last 16 victory that means France face England or Iceland in the Stade de France quarter-final next Sunday.

Paul Pogba brought Shane Long down within seconds of kickoff and Robbie Brady converted the penalty to put the Irish ahead with just two minutes gone.

But Griezmann underlined a superb performance as the main strike threat with two knockout goals in the second-half as the hosts floored the Irish.

It was “annoying” to go behind Griezmann said. “In the dressing rooms, we had words and that brought out a different French team.”

“It was difficult for us, because there was a the penalty at the start which was a bit of a shock,” French coach Didier Deschamps said, expressing relief at the fightback as French fans celebrated.

“We really only woke up after 15 minutes and now we’re going to enjoy watching to see who our quarter-final will be.”

Ireland’s problems were compounded by playing the last 25 minutes with ten men.

Centre-back Shane Duffy was sent off on 66 minutes for bringing down Griezmann, who was through on goal.

France’s win came at a cost as both midfielder N’Golo Kante and defender Adil Rami are suspended for the quarter-final after picking up bookings.

Defeat means more heartache for the Irish in their first meeting with France since a controversial World Cup play-off in November 2009.

Thierry Henry’s infamous handball, dubbed ‘Le Hand of God’, helped seal a 2-1 aggregate victory to send France to South Africa 2010 at Ireland’s expense.

The Irish came flying out of the traps in Lyon.

A long ball caused the French all manner of problems and when Southampton striker Long tried to turn and shoot, Pogba made contact.

With just 70 seconds played, referee Nicola Rizzoli pointed straight to the spot.

Brady was again the darling of the travelling ‘Green Army’ as the Norwich City winger put the Irish ahead with a shot that rebounded off a post.

It was the fastest goal at a Euro finals since Russia’s Dimitri Kirichenko scored after 67 seconds against Greece in 2004.

Celebrations erupted amongst the small band lucky enough to get one of the paltry 4,500 tickets allocated to Irish fans at the 59,000-capacity stadium.

The hosts responded by laying seige to the Irish goal.

Griezmann, twice, and Olivier Giroud both tested Irish goalkeeper Darren Randolph, as did Pogba with a long-range free-kick.

No quarter was asked or given as things got heated on the pitch with four yellow cards dished out in the first-half.

Deschamps injected some pace after the break by bringing on fleet-footed winger Kingsley Coman for N’Golo Kante.

The French played at a much higher tempo and Randolph was thoroughly tested by Blaise Matuidi’s shot from just outside the box on 55 minutes.

France drew level when Griezmann rose highest to meet Sagna’s pin-point cross on 58 minutes.

Randolph got a glove on the bullet header, but it was destined only for the back of the net.

Griezmann struck again in the 61st minute when Giroud headed down into the Atletico Madrid winger’s path to slam his shot past Randolph.

With France in top gear, Duffy’s desperate lunge clipped Griezmann’s ankle on the edge of the area and Rizzoli had to show the Irishman the red card on 66 minutes.

Only Irish determination, and a lack of a final touch, prevented Griezmann finishing with a hat-trick.

Quaresma heads Portugal into last eight

Ricardo Quaresma headed Portugal into the Euro 2016 quarter-finals three minutes before the end of extra-time to break Croatian hearts after dominating the game.

Cristiano Ronaldo was denied matching Michel Platini’s record of nine goals in European championship finals by a fine save from Danijel Subasic, but the ball fell to Quaresma to head into an empty net.

Portugal will face Poland in the quarter-finals in Marseille on Thursday after the Poles beat Switzerland 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 draw earlier on Saturday.

Ronaldo was kept extremely quiet for most of a dull encounter which became the first match in European Championship history where neither team managed a shot on target during the regulation 90 minutes.

Ronaldo did not touch the ball in the Croatia box during the first-half, but Portugal were doing enough to limit a Croatia side that had thrilled in beating defending champions Spain 2-1 in midweek to precious few chances.

Star midfielder Luka Modric returned from injury for a matchup with his Real Madrid teammate Ronaldo, but both he and Barcelona’s Ivan Rakitic struggled to sparkle as they had earlier in the tournament.

It was another Real Madrid player who had the best chance of the first-half when Pepe nodded Raphael Guerreiro’s dangerous free-kick over.

Ivan Perisic was Croatia’s hero with the winning goal against Spain, but he pulled their best chance of the opening 45 minutes into the side-netting from a narrow angle.

Croatia upped the pace in the second period having enjoyed a day’s more rest than Portugal. Marcelo Brozovic should have done better when he blazed over from a quickly taken corner.

Domagoj Vida headed a great chance wide for Croatia from Rakitic’s fine cross as the game began to come to life in the final quarter.

Nani then had penalty claims waved away by Spanish referee Carlos Velasco Carballo when he appeared to be kicked in the chest by Ivan Strinic as he burst into the box.

However, unlike so often at Euro 2016, there was no late drama. Both sides settled for the stalemate to take the game into extra-time.

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