17 June,2016 08:27 AM IST | | AFP
Striker Giroud hails France's never-say-die attitude after 2-0 win over Albania
France forward Olivier Giroud (top) celebrates with teammates after a goal during the Group A match against Albania at Velodrome Stadium in Marseille on Wednesday. France won 2-0 to lead the points table
Marseille: Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud hailed France's never-say-die attitude after a last-gasp 2-0 win over Albania on Wednesday sent the hosts into the last 16 of Euro 2016.
France forward Olivier Giroud (top) celebrates with teammates after a goal during the Group A match against Albania at Velodrome Stadium in Marseille on Wednesday. France won 2-0 to lead the points table. Pic/AFP
Giroud missed a few real chances for Les Bleus at a packed Stade Velodrome in Marseille where second half substitute Antoine Griezmann broke the deadlock in the 90th minute.
It ended a long and arduous search for the match opener, but only six minutes later West Ham midfielder Dmitri Payet hit his second of the competition to seal a win for France.
France eye Swiss delight
As Balkan minnows Albania's suffered their second consecutive defeat, France look ahead to their final Group A game against Switzerland with a clean sweep of victories in mind. Giroud hopes any eventual goals in their final group fixture come earlier, but said:
"We kept on wearing them down and in the end they cracked, it's great to know that we have a tough mentality and that we're willing to go right to the end to get the goals. We all want to surpass ourselves in this competition in front of our fans and the whole of France.
"Maybe that little bit of extra spirit made the difference for us tonight. Now, we're looking to finish top of the group, although the games we have coming up will be difficult including the one against the Swiss."
