July 8, 2016 - The level of achievement by the Franceof Didier Deschamps was almost overwhelming for the players in the momentsafter the 2-0 victory over Germany in the Euro 2016 semi-finals.

France had not beaten Germany incompetitive football since the 1958 World Cup's third place play-off; threetimes since then the Germans had knocked them out, twice in the semi-finals andonce - in Brazil two years ago - in the quarters.

On top of that while France wereenjoying the status of Euro 2016 hosts Germany, after all, were the World Cupholders even if their standard over the past three weeks has fallen below the2014 pinnacle.

Victory and all it represented wasviewed by Deschamps and his players, notanly two-goal match-winner AntoineGriezmann, as fulfilling a duty to give the French people something to cheer,even if briefly, after a year of nervous tension over terrorist violence andanti-government unrest.

Almost as an afterthought, victoryspurred France into Sunday's Euro 2016 final against Portugal in the Stade deFrance. History may repeat itself. In 1984 France, fired by the goal-scoringinspiration of Michel Platini, were the last host team to win the Europeancrown. Now, the 'only' obstacle is Cristiano Ronaldo and his Portugal.

Deschamps, who captained France tovictory in both World Cup and then European Championship in 1998 and 2000respectively, appreciated the wider picture in reviewing the game.

He said: "What we've done tonightis great and I'm delighted for the players and also then when you see thefervour and passion in the stands and in and around the ground. This team haseverything it takes to be loved. The players are performing well on the pitchand I'm very proud of them.

"I know it's a great story: Frenchplayers making history by knocking out Germany in a semi-final. We have been ableto generate a lot of emotion so our people can forget their worries for somemoments. There's been a lot of passion and fervour and, I think, a lot ofhappiness all over France.

"Yesterday and today again therewere so many people smiling and waving their flags for us. They were all behindus and that's important. These players are now well aware of the reality ofwhat they give to the people by wearing the French national colours."

France, marginally outplayed for most ofthe first half, took the lead controversially in the second minute of stoppagetime. A right-wing corner from Griezmann lured German captain BastianSchweinsteiger into leading with an arm in a messy clearance attempt. RefereeRizzoli immediately pointed to the penalty spot and booked the German captainamid the world champions’ protests.

Griezmann, who had missed a crucialpenalty in the Champions League Final, sent keeper Manuel Neuer the wrong wayand France into the dressing rooms with a halftime lead.

Germany were already weakened by theabsences of injured centre-forward Mario Gomez and midfielder Sami Khedira plusthe suspension of defender Mats Hummels. More trouble assailed them early inthe second half when key centre back Jerome Boateng was also injured and had tobe replaced.

Shortly afterwards, France went futherahead. The Germans, in a panic, were caught out in their own penalty box. Thesuperb Paul Pogba crossed, Neuer could only palm the ball forward underpressure from Giroud, and Griezmann jabbed it back between the fallinggoalkeeper’s legs and into the net.

He is now the tournament's six-goal leadingmarksman.

Germany scrapped desperately but withoutshape or form, to find a route back into ghe game. They went close severaltimes. Joshua Kimmich hit a post and Julian Draxler and Howedes were narrowlyoff target but it was all desperate stuff. France had the goals and the safetycushion.

Just to rub it in, there was not even aconsolation goal to reward all the Germans’ effort; in the second minute ofstoppage time Lloris flew to his left to make a superb save to a Kimmichheader.

German coach Joachim Low whingedbitterly that his team had been better but had no luck. France, rememberingsome of their past defeats by the Germans, may consider that they were overduemore than a little good fortune themselves.