France beat Germany to reach Euro 2016 final

France started on the attack and were denied the chance to open the score on the 7th minute when Neuer produced an excellent save to parry Griezmann’s effort. After a number of passes around the German area, Griezmann found space and fired a shot towards the bottom corner that was saved by the German shot stopper who dived down to the left to parry it away.

The Germans responded on the 13th minute after Kimmich sent the ball towards Can, who tried to find Muller inside the goal area. However, the Bayern Munich striker sent the ball well wide.

A minute later, Germany had another good opportunity. Hector got free on the left and picked out Can on the edge of the box. His deflected shot was was aimed towards the bottom corner, but Lloris tipped it clear.

The French tested Neuer again on the 24th minute when from a free kick, Payet tried his luck. However, the German goalkeeper made an easy save.

Three minutes later, Lloris had to save his nation for the second time after Schweinsteiger fired a shot from twenty yards out that was tipped over by the French goalkeeper.

France went ahead on the brink of half time when Schweinsteiger was judged by the Italian referee to have touched the ball with his hands inside the penalty area. From the resulting spot kick, Griezmann made no mistake and sent Neuer the wrong way to make it 1-0 for the hosts.

The first chance of the second half was created by the French team on the 62nd minute. From a corner, Griezmann sent a cross that was met by Koscielny, who headed over Neuer’s crossbar.

The hosts managed to double the score ten minutes later after the world champions made two mistakes in quick succession. Pogba profited from Kimmich’s mistake inside his own penalty area, before sending a cross that was only parried by Neuer. Griezmann was at the right spot to score his sixth goal of the tournament.

The world champions responded on the 74th minute when Kimmich sent a brilliant curling effort from the edge of the box that went inches wide.Two minutes later, Draxler fired a free kick towards goal that also went just wide of Lloris post.

After scoring the second goal, the French stayed back, while the Germans tried to score a goal that would have given them some hope. They were close again on the 82nd minute when from a corner, Howedes headed the ball marginally over.

The Germans might feel that they were unlucky not to score a goal in the stoppage time after Lloris produced another magnificent safe to deny them. Howedes swung a ball inside the penalty area that found Kimmich who fired goal wards, but the French keeper palmed it away to make sure of the clean sheet.

Following this result, France will play Portugal in next Sunday’s final.

France starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Lloris; Sagna, Umtiti, Koscielny, Evra; Pogba, Matuidi; Sissoko, Griezmann, Payet; Giroud.

Germany starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Neuer; Kimmich, Howedes, Boateng, Hector; Can, Schweinsteiger; Ozil, Kroos, Draxler; Muller.

Yellow cards

Can (Germany), Evra (France), Oezil (Germany), Schweinsteiger (Germany), Draxler (Germany), Kante (France).

Referee

Nicola Rizzoli (Italy)