Payet's tears of relief after rescuing France
AFP
June 11, 2016 10:31 MYT
June 11, 2016 10:31 MYT
France's forward Dimitri Payet celebrates after scoring the 2-1 during the Euro 2016 group A football match between France and Romania at Stade de France, in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, on June 10, 2016. - AFP Photo/Franck Fife
Dimitri Payet left the field in tears of joy after scoring the sensational last-gasp goal in France's 2-1 win over Romania to launch their European Championship campaign in style on Friday.
"It was a lot of stress, a lot of pressure, if someone had told me it would have gone like that I don't think I would have believed them," said Payet.
"It was that emotion that came out in the goal," added the 29-year-old who has broken into the France team this year after a stunning season with West Ham United in the English Premier League.
Payet was France's standout performer throughout as he also set up Olivier Giroud's opening goal.
After Romania had equalised and seemed to be holding on for a draw, Payet struck in the 89th minute with a curling 25 metre shot to take the tournament opener.
Payet left the field in tears in stoppage time as he was substituted to a standing ovation at an emotional Stade de France, the tournament just seven months after it was targeted in the attacks that killed 130 people in Paris in November.
After the final whistle went, Payet embraced his small son on the field.
Payet said he had been overcome by the way he has fought his way into the French team.
"At the start of the season, a lot of people would have found it hard to believe I would be here," said the attacking midfielder.
"I have got here by working hard," added the hero of the night, who is determined to "soak up the experience" of playing in Euro 2016.
"When I saw the stadium tonight I knew I was going to have fun," said Payet who predicted more hard-working performances.
After the match, West Ham warned off rival clubs who could be tempted to make an offer. "The whole of Europe understands #WeveGotPayet," the London club said on its Twitter account.
All of the French side were relieved to have got the win.
"We knew that we were a bit timid in the opening quarter of an hour. We were afraid of making mistakes," said Payet.
"Then we settled, but they defended very well. We managed to find the back of the net, but then they levelled things up.
"The crowd helped us as well, we know how important the three points are and now we can relax and rest up for the next match."
"This Romania team isn't easy to play, we knew that, even if we were able to score the opening goal," said France coach Didier Deschamps.
"We struggled to get out the blocks but the reward was at the end. It's a very good thing to have won the first match, to start us off in the competition."