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Griezmann steals the show to lead France into Euro 2016 final

Lars Baron / Getty Images Sport / Getty

France is off to its third continental final, and if history is any indication, it's a bad omen for Portugal.

Finalists in 1984 and 2000, Les Bleus have won their last two forays into the European Championship finals, and ahead of Sunday's final at the Stade de France are certain to be the favourites to left a third.

Didier Deschamps' men were the better side Thursday, besting Germany 2-0 in Marseille to advance to its fifth marquee final.

Every major tournament vaults a star among the pantheon of those of mythic standing, and at Euro 2016, that player is Antoine Griezmann.

The Atletico Madrid talisman opened the scoring from the spot after Bastian Schweinsteiger narrowly handled the ball in the box. Match official Nicola Rizzoli missed the call but to the relief of those in attendance Thursday at the Stade Velodrome, was alerted by his linesman.

Related - Watch: Griezmann's penalty sends Neuer wrong way, puts France ahead

It was the last kick of the half and the first time Germany trailed in a major tournament match in 11 fixtures since falling behind Ghana during the 2014 World Cup.

Griezmann doubled the score in the 72nd minute when young German full-back Joshua Kimmich bottled his touch in the area, gifting Paul Pogba the ball that found his teammate after Manuel Neuer's failed clearance.

France had the best chance early in the sixth minute after a neat bit of interplay from Blaise Matuidi afforded Griezmann an attempt on Neuer's net, only for the tournament's leading scorer to fire directly into the arms of the Bayern Munich star.

Emre Can nearly gave Germany a lead in the 14th minute on his major tournament debut, but Hugo Lloris was good value for a diving save on the Liverpool star's bouncing effort.

Germany dominated the last half of the opening stanza but it was Olivier Giroud who nearly opened the scoring, were it not for a last-ditch tackle from Benedikt Howedes in the 42nd minute.

Related - Watch: Howedes makes absurd slide tackle to deny Giroud on breakaway

The striker was gifted a brilliant chance on the counter attack courtesy of an acrobatic bicycle clearance from Samuel Umtiti and Giroud helped his own cause, out-leaping Jerome Boateng to head the ball into his own path, only to be bested by Howedes' pace.

If Griezmann was the star, Umtiti was the revelation, pairing with Arsenal centre-back Laurent Koscielny in the middle of Deschamps' defence to great results.

The second half was as frenetic as the first, as both sides applied pressure. France continued with its thriving three-prong attack of Griezmann, Giroud and Dimitri Payet, while Germany had good results playing its full-backs in expansive roles.

Toni Kroos nearly put the World Cup holder on the board in the 73rd minute on his weaker left foot, though his attempt was the epitome of Germany's efforts: close but no cigar.

Leroy Sane and Howedes mirrored Kroos' effort late in the second stanza, but it wasn't to be for Germany.

The favourite from the outset to lift a third European Championship and second on home soil, Les Bleus have the pressures of a nation desperate for something to cheer about placed squarely on their shoulders.

They are now 90 minutes from turning a country's footballing ambitions into a reason to celebrate.

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