Germany’s movement and quick passing was too hot to handle in the early exchanges, with Emre Can and Bastian Schweinsteiger kept out by two magnificent Hugo Lloris saves.
France burst into life late in the half when Olivier Giroud won an aerial challenge on the halfway line against Jerome Boateng and sprung clear one-on-one with the goalkeeper, only for Benedikt Howedes to track back at pace and make an incredible block.
In the dying moments of the first half, France provided the ultimate sucker punch when the assistant referee controversially adjudged Schweinsteiger to have handle in the area.
Antoine Griezmann stepped up to the spot and converted the penalty with consummate ease to end a pulsating first half.
Germany cranked up the pressure once again in the second half, but couldn’t muster a clear route to goal and they were made to rue their missed chances.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
Didier Deschamps brought on N’Golo Kante to try and protect their lead, only for France to double it within 30 seconds of the defensive midfield coming on.
Joshua Kimmich gave the ball away cheaply deep inside his own penalty area, Pogba robbed him, stood up his defender and put in a dangerous cross that Manuel Neuer carelessly bundled and Griezmann was in the right place, at the right time to poke into the back of the net.
Minutes later and Kimmich almost redeemed himself with a sublime curling effort from outside the box which crashed the post and left Lloris helpless.
France held on and will face Portugal in Paris for their first piece of silverware since Euro 2000.
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