Griezmann double against Germany takes France to EURO 2016 final

• Hosts France beat world champions Germany to reach UEFA EURO 2016 final
• Antoine Griezmann scores from spot after Bastian Schweinsteiger's handball (45+2)
• Striker prods in his sixth goal of tournament to clinch win (72)
• France will play Portugal in Sunday's final at Stade de France

France will have the chance to emulate their 1984 European champions after two assured Antoine Griezmann finishes earned a semi-final win in Marseille and ended Germany's hopes of adding the European crown to the world title they lifted two years ago.

France had scored five times in their quarter-final with Iceland and started brilliantly here, Griezmann combining well with Blaise Matuidi; Manuel Neuer was down sharply to push away.

Germany, however, stood firm amid a vibrant Marseille night and began to monopolise possession, Thomas Müller steering a shot just wide before Emre Can brought Hugo Lloris into action.

Joachim Löw's side enjoyed 64% possession in the first half – but with the last kick of it, they fell behind. Bastian Schweinsteiger blocked Patrice Evra's header with his hand and Griezmann – who missed a penalty in the 2016 UEFA Champions League final – made no mistake, sending Neuer the wrong way from the spot.

While France started the second period on the front foot, they were swiftly and steadily pushed back as Germany sought a reply. However, the France rearguard held its discipline and refused to allow clear opportunities, while Didier Deschamps' team threatened on the break themselves.

Just as Germany looked to be working up a head of steam, France struck again. Paul Pogba retrieved possession down the left and Neuer, under pressure, could only palm away his cross; Griezmann prodded in the loose ball.

Germany responded strongly, Joshua Kimmich rattling the outside of the post, while the French goal had several fortuitous escapes in the closing stages, but the home crowd and the players they had cheered throughout cared little as the celebrations began.

Match analysis from Stade Vélodrome
Man of the Match: Antoine Griezmann (France)
The forward started the tournament slowly, but has come to life in the knockout phase – he now has five goals in his last three appearances. His double at the Vélodrome showed a player in great touch: nerves of steel to convert from the spot and a poacher's instinct to turn in the clinching second.

Deschamps bravery pays off
Deschamps stuck with the 4-2-3-1 approach that had proved so effective in the second half of the round of 16 success over the Republic of Ireland and in the quarter-final against Iceland – and was duly rewarded. Germany dominated for long stretches but when France countered, they did so with purpose and in numbers.

Lack of cutting edge costs Germany
The world champions failed in their bid to add the European crown to their trophy cabinet, and will look back on this as a missed opportunity. Löw's side had their chances – 17 shots, six of them on target – and mustered 65% possession, but in truth clear openings proved hard to come by.

Marseille memories
France's record in Marseille is not particularly noteworthy – before tonight it read W7 D3 L4 – although there is one particular omen that may give pause for thought. The last time a host nation won the UEFA European Championship, in 1984, it was France after a dramatic semi-final at the Vélodrome. Against Portugal.

Team reporters' views
David Crossan, France (@UEFAcomDavidC)
Griezmann was already France's darling and now his popularity will be off the scale. I'm tiring of telling people – no, really – that he was my pre-tournament pick as the star of UEFA EURO 2016. The first goal came at a perfect time after France had sat back too much, and I was impressed with the French resolve after the interval as they restricted Germany's opportunities, at least until after Griezmann's second. Germany were a step up in class from France's previous opponents and Les Bleus were never likely to control matters. They came through, and in tournament football that's all that counts.

Germany exited at the semi-final stage for the second EURO running©Getty Images

Steffen Potter, Germany (@UEFAcomSteffenP)
It wasn't Germany's night in Marseille. Having survived the opening French attacks, Löw's men appeared very much in charge until they conceded another unnecessary penalty for a handball. Maybe it's telling that one of the young German players, Joshua Kimmich, who had had a decent tournament, made the decisive mistake for France's second, when he was too elaborate inside the area. Playing too nicely was perhaps Germany's problem, as they produced too little with their passing game. France didn't come out to play tonight and it turned out it was the right thing to do.

Reaction

Antoine Griezmann, France forward: "I hope we'll lift the trophy, but for now let's enjoy tonight. We're thrilled, we feel like kids. We know the whole country is behind us, so we're giving everything for them. I'm absolutely delighted and very proud. There's still one match to go to finish with a flourish – it's going to be very tricky but I hope this won't be the end. It's our duty to win matches for the French public and let's hope we can finish on a high."

Didier Deschamps, France coach: "We've already made history. Antoine is a great player and he proved that again tonight in everything he did. He works very hard and along with Olivier Giroud, from a defensive perspective he made sure we were a very compact unit. He's a very important player, as he has been for Atlético all season. At EURO, he's scored goals, set up team-mates and got others around him playing well."

Joachim Löw, Germany coach: "We were unfortunate to concede a penalty a minute before half-time; that was bad luck. We had our chances but didn't score. Today we didn't have the luck; when we went out in 2010 and 2012, our opponents were better than us. Today we were better than the French but for the goals and result."

Lineups

France line up in MarseillePopperfoto via Getty Images

Germany: Neuer; Hector, Höwedes, Boateng (Mustafi 61), Kimmich; Draxler, Schweinsteiger (c) (Sané 79), Kroos, Can (Götze 67), Özil; Müller
Substitutes: Leno, Ter Stegen, Khedira, Schürrle, Podolski, Weigl, Tah, Gómez
Coach: Joachim Löw

France: Lloris (c); Evra, Umtiti, Koscielny, Sagna; Payet (Kanté 71), Matuidi, Griezmann (Cabaye 90+2), Pogba, Sissoko; Giroud (Gignac 78)
Substitutes: Mandanda, Costil, Jallet, Rami, Martial, Schneiderlin, Mangala, Digne, Coman
Coach: Didier Deschamps

Referee: Nicola Rizzoli (Italy)