Home / EURO 2016 / France 3-2 Cameroon: Dimitri Payet seals last-gasp victory with sensational free-kick

France 3-2 Cameroon: Dimitri Payet seals last-gasp victory with sensational free-kick

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Updated: May 31, 2016
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Dimitri Payet scored a brilliant last-minute free-kick as France claimed a dramatic victory on Monday night

Dimitri Payet scored a brilliant last-minute free kick as Euro 2016 hosts France claimed a morale-boosting victory in a friendly on Monday night.

Playing at the same stadium in Nantes where he began his career 11 years ago, the midfielder angled a shot from wide on the right into the opposite corner, cancelling out striker Eric Choupo Moting’s 88th-minute equaliser for Cameroon.

Payet starred for West Ham in the Premier League this season, scoring several free-kicks hit with astonishing bend, dip and velocity – despite little or no run up.

Dimitri Payet strikes the free-kick outside the Cameroon penalty area with just 33 seconds to go until the 90 minutes are up

Dimitri Payet strikes the free-kick outside the Cameroon penalty area with just 33 seconds to go until the 90 minutes are up
Payet hits a strong, looping kick over the wall at the stadium in Nantes where he began his career 11 years ago

Payet hits a strong, looping kick over the wall at the stadium in Nantes where he began his career 11 years ago
The ball lands in the top left corner of the net leaving the Cameroon goalkeeper flailing in mid-air and the score at 3-2 in France's favour
The ball lands in the top left corner of the net leaving the Cameroon goalkeeper flailing in mid-air and the score at 3-2 in France’s favour

The ball slips into the top left corner of the net leaving the French fans delirious after the late winner by the West Ham star

The ball slips into the top left corner of the net leaving the French fans delirious after the late winner by the West Ham star
Cameroon goalkeeper Fabrice Ondoa was beaten by Payet's brilliant free-kick in the last minute

Cameroon goalkeeper Fabrice Ondoa was beaten by Payet’s brilliant free-kick in the last minute

MATCH FACTS

France: Lloris, Sagna, Rami, Koscielny, Evra, Pogba (Sissoko 65), Diarra (Kante 46), Matuidi, Payet, Coman (Cabaye 76), Giroud (Gignac 64).

Subs Not Used: Mandanda, Jallet, Mangala, Digne, Umtiti, Costil.

Booked: Sagna, Evra.

Goals: Matuidi 20, Giroud 41, Payet 90.

Cameroon: Ondoa, Nyom, Teikeu, Oyongo, Chedjou (Djetei 80), Mandjeck (N’Jie 69), Enoh (Sebastien Siani 46), Salli (Choupo-Moting 46), Aboubakar (Abang 71), Toko Ekambi (Kom 75),Zoua.

Subs Not Used: Ndy Assembe, Mbia, Etame, Ngwen, Goda, Bedimo.

Booked: Enoh,Nyom.

Goals: Aboubakar 22,Choupo-Moting 87.

Att: 40,000

Ref: Simon Evans (Wales).

Recalled to the France side on March 29 against Russia, Payet now appears certain to start against Romania on June 10 in the Euro 2016 opener.

France looked sluggish at times but could at least rely on gifted teenager Kingsley Coman in a 3-2 win over Cameroon on Monday in their penultimate warm-up game for the Euro 2016 campaign on home soil.

France snatched victory with a last-gasp Dimitri Payet free kick but it was Coman who caught the eye as the 19-year-old Bayern Munich winger set up a goal and made his presence felt all over the pitch until he came off in the 77th minute.

His performance confirmed that the hosts can bank on young talent up front in the tournament.

France opened the scoring after 20 minutes in the western port city when midfielder Blaise Matuidi volleyed home a fine cross by Coman, starting a match for France for the first time.

Cameroon levelled two minutes later, Vincent Aboubacar catching the France defence off guard to tap in from close range.

Giroud put the home side ahead from a Paul Pogba cross four minutes before the break.

The second half proved relatively uneventful until Eric Choupo Moting put the visitors level from close range two minutes from time.

France needed a free kick from Payet in the dying moments to seal victory.

Les Bleus will face Scotland in their final warm-up game on June 4 in Metz.

They will play Romania in the opening game of the tournament on June 10 at the Stade de France and will also meet Albania and Switzerland in Group A.

Payet, second right, celebrates with team-mates including Yohan Cabaye, right and Patrice Evra, second left

Payet, second right, celebrates with team-mates including Yohan Cabaye, right and Patrice Evra, second left

France striker Olivier Giroud slots the ball past Cameroon goalkeeper Ondoa in the 41st minute

France striker Olivier Giroud slots the ball past Cameroon goalkeeper Ondoa in the 41st minute
Giroud celebrates after scoring the winner against Cameroon in a friendly on Monday night

Giroud celebrates after scoring the winner against Cameroon in a friendly on Monday night
Paul Pogba delivered a sublime cross-field ball which Giroud gratefully slotted into the corner

Paul Pogba delivered a sublime cross-field ball which Giroud gratefully slotted into the corner
France had opened the scoring in the 20th minute through a smart volley by midfielder Blaise Matuidi

France had opened the scoring in the 20th minute through a smart volley by midfielder Blaise Matuidi

Leicester midfielder N'Golo Kante will be part of Didier Deschamps' squad for a Euro 2016 campaign

Leicester midfielder N’Golo Kante will be part of Didier Deschamps’ squad for a Euro 2016 campaign
Payet was playing at the same stadium in Nantes where he began his career 11 years ago

Payet was playing at the same stadium in Nantes where he began his career 11 years ago
Les Bleus will face Scotland in their final warm-up game on Saturday in Metz

Les Bleus will face Scotland in their final warm-up game on Saturday in Metz

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