France 3 Cameroon 2: Dimitri Payet’s free-kick seals last-minute win as Olivier Giroud silences boo-boys
The West Ham midfielder staked a claim for a starting spot at Euro 2016 with a stunning last-gasp goal
DIMITRI PAYET’S stunning last-gasp free-kick sealed it for France as the hosts began their Euro 2016 preparations with a 3-2 win over Cameroon.
The tournament favourites looked to have thrown victory away with two minutes left when Maxim Choupo-Moting levelled.
But, as Premier League goalkeepers have discovered all season, no net is safe from a Payet dead ball — no matter how far out.
And this was potentially the West Ham midfielder’s best yet as he curled into the top corner from a near-impossible angle all of 30-yards from Fabrice Ondoa’s goal.
Blaise Matuidi gave France the lead after 20 minutes in Nantes when he backpedalled to nod in Kingsley Coman’s cross.
But Didier Deschamps’ injury-hit defence faltered to hand the visitors an instant reply.
Payet was caught ball-watching to allow full-back Allan Nyom to reach the byline, and the Watford ace found Vincent Aboubakar in space to fire into Hugo Lloris’ net.
France hit back before the interval when Paul Pogba brushed off Eyong Enoh before delivering a wonderful cross into the path of Olivier Giroud.
The Arsenal striker - who was booed by sections of fans before the game — gratefully slotted home a neat volley to send the French in ahead.
France had chances to extend their lead after the break with Patrice Evra spurning the best if the lot somehow blazed over from close range.
Choupo-Moting punished the Juventus defender seconds later — before Payet staked him claim for a starting spot in style at the death.
France host Scotland in Metz on Saturday evening before opening the Euros with a clash against Romania on June 10.