WHEN GRIEZ LIGHTNING SILENCED THUNDERCLAP

France far too hot for ice warriors

- KEITH WEBSTER

PLAYING host at a major tournament has its benefits - but home comforts can sometimes be overwhelmed by the weight of expectation from a partisan crowd.

Didier Deschamps' France had failed to impress the passionate followers of Les Bleus in the early stages of Euro 2016.

The home team needed a goal from Dimitri Payet a minute from time to beat Romania in the Group A opener and, five days later, Antoine Griezmann finally broke the resistance of Albania in the 90th minute before Payet sealed a 2-0 victory in stoppage time.

Throw in a goalless draw against Switzerland in the final group game and French fans were hardly expecting David Trezeguet at Euro 2000 all over again.

In the round of 16, France fell behind to the Republic of Ireland after two minutes before Griezmann rescued them with two goals in three minutes around the hour.