France beats Romania 2-1 in Euro 2016 opener

AP Photo

Dimitri Payet scored a late goal to give host France a 2-1 victory over Romania in the opening match of the European Championship, AP reports.

The West Ham winger curled a shot from outside the penalty area into the top corner in the 89th minute at the Stade de France.

Payet set up the French opener in the 58th, whipping in a cross that Olivier Giroud headed into the net. But France defender Patrice Evra tripped Nicolae Stanciu in the area and Bogdan Stancu equalized for Romania from the penalty spot in the 65th.

Both teams still have to play Albania and Switzerland in Group A.

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Emil Lazarian

“I should like to see any power of the world destroy this race, this small tribe of unimportant people, whose wars have all been fought and lost, whose structures have crumbled, literature is unread, music is unheard, and prayers are no more answered. Go ahead, destroy Armenia . See if you can do it. Send them into the desert without bread or water. Burn their homes and churches. Then see if they will not laugh, sing and pray again. For when two of them meet anywhere in the world, see if they will not create a New Armenia.” - WS