Euro 2016: Giroud and co set up tasty semifinal clash with Germany

Olivier Giroud scored two goals and set up another as the Euro 2016 hosts France thrashed Iceland 5-2 on Sunday to set up a semi-final clash against world champions Germany.

Giroud fired France ahead after just 12 minutes at a rain-drenched Stade de France with Paul Pogba then heading in his first goal of the tournament to double the hosts’ lead.

Dimitri Payet struck two minutes before half-time to put France in complete control and Antoine Griezmann raced clear to add a fourth to round out France’s first-half blitz.

Iceland, who beat England 2-1 to reach the last eight, put on another never-say-die performance. Kolbeinn Sigthorsson and Birkir Bjarnason grabbed second-half consolation goals either side of Giroud’s second but Iceland were overpowerd by France’s domination.



Didier Deschamps’ men will take on Germany in Marseille on Thursday for a place in the final, while Iceland will return home as heroes after a remarkable run in their first appearance at a major tournament.

The match against Germany has been touted a revenge mission for France who lost to Germany in the 2014 quarterfinal clash in Brazil.

“Germany are the best team, there is no doubt about that, even if Italy gave them a few scares. But we are there in the final four,” said Deschamps.