The host nation are through to the final of Euro 2016, after a plucky 2-0 win against Germany in Marseille.
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.
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.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
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 2000.
Here are some of the best reactions from Twitter:
I wanted to see GER win the EUROS, but it is some consolation to see FRA reassert itself as a determined footballing power #GERFRA
— Bundesliga Fanatic (@Bundesliga4u) July 7, 2016
‘Hello Ed, how much are we paying for Pogba again?’ #GERFRA pic.twitter.com/Kiv7Q4O13w
— Ladbrokes (@Ladbrokes) July 7, 2016
#GERFRA Tell me this game isn’t rigged! How much did france pay the officiating crew for this game? We all know who the better squad is…
— Richard Atherton-C (@richardac00) July 7, 2016
The difference.. #GERFRA pic.twitter.com/1jtS8EW4LT
— Copa90 (@Copa90) July 7, 2016
This #GERFRA match is a nice reminder that dominating a game for 75 minutes isn’t enough.
— Article 12 (@scottmbeggs) July 7, 2016
The final is going to be the worst final ever, two teams that don’t deserve to be there at all. #GERFRA
— Laureen (@XLaureenB) July 7, 2016
I watch football over two decades – that save of Lloris is one of the best saves I’ve ever seen. #GERFRA
— Alex Truica (@AlexTruica) July 7, 2016
If Maradona had the “Hand of God”, Schweinsteiger “the hand from hell.” #GERFRA
— Maximiliano Bretos (@mbretosESPN) July 7, 2016
3 – 3 of the last 5 goals Manuel Neuer has conceded have been scored by Antoine Griezmann (club and country). Shock. #GERFRA #EURO2016
— OptaFranz (@OptaFranz) July 7, 2016
Thierry Henry: “I am so emotional at the moment. It’s going to be a tricky game vs. #POR, but let’s enjoy it.” #FRA pic.twitter.com/lijrSTALmy
— Squawka News (@SquawkaNews) July 7, 2016
Gotta be happy for France who’ll be playing a European Championship final on their home turf. That has to be amazing. #GERFRA
— HEY HELLBERG (@HellbergMusic) July 7, 2016
Mood #GERFRA pic.twitter.com/ILwIh9Gfmg
— Festina (@tinavanrunik) July 7, 2016
It’s not always that the deserving team wins. But hey, that’s the beauty of the game of Football #GERFRA
— James Nordkvist (@nordkvist) July 7, 2016
#GERFRA: Superb from #Griezmann! The kind of game & #EURO2016 as a whole, that proves beyond a shadow of a doubt he’s amongst the very best
— Dani FM – #21 (@DanielFMPro) July 7, 2016
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