France breaks Albanian hearts with late double to reach knockout stages

The host nation is moving on up.

Though France left it late once again in its second Group A match of Euro 2016, a 90th-minute header by substitute striker Antoine Griezmann and a 96th-minute goal by Dimitri Payet was enough to secure a 2-0 win against Albania at the Stade Velodrome in Marseille, and a berth in the Round of 16, too.

Albania posted up well in the first half, putting 11 men behind the ball and staving off France's tepid attempts at finding a goal. The slow pace of France's passes allowed Albania to counter-attack at pace and test goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, though never too seriously, and the two went into the break deadlocked.

France marked the start of the second half with the introduction of Paul Pogba and, with Albania tiring, the game opened up for Olivier Giroud, who had three looks at goal but only mustered a chance smacked against the post.

Related: Deschamps drops Pogba, Griezmann ahead of Albania clash

The introduction of Griezmann finally gave France its go-ahead goal courtesy of a glancing header from an Adil Rami cross, and, up 1-0, Payet added another with a well-placed curling shot, giving the West Ham star a second late goal to celebrate.

Payet has quickly become the star man with the French national team as well, having scored a late winner against Romania in France's first Euro 2016 fixture last week.