Published on 03:37 AM, July 08, 2016

[WATCH] Griezmann double sends France into final

France's Antoine Griezmann celebrates after scoring their second goal. Photo: Reuters

Two-goal Antoine Griezmann fired France into the Euro 2016 final today when a smash and grab 2-0 victory over a territorially dominant Germany ended 58 years of tournament suffering at the hands of their neighbours.

Griezmann drove in a penalty at the end of the first half after a needless handball by German captain Bastian Schweinsteiger and poked home in the 72nd minute following a blunder by goalkeeper Manuel Neuer to set up a final against Portugal in Paris on Sunday.

World champions Germany dominated the match in terms of possession but their lack of a deadly finisher cost them and razor-sharp Griezmann, whose double took his tournament-leading tally to six, was the difference.

It was the first time France had beaten Germany in a competitive match since the 1958 World Cup, including defeats in the semi-finals of the 1982 and 1986 World Cups and the quarter-finals two years ago.

The hosts will go into the final as strong favourites to emulate the teams of 1984 and 1998, who won the European and world titles on home soil.

Germany will wonder how they failed to score in a game they controlled for long periods but, after Jerome Boateng's handball gave Italy a lifeline in the quarter-finals, their captain's similarly inexplicable high hand swung the game France's way when they most needed it.

France, roared on in a fantastic atmosphere, had torn forward in the opening exchanges and looked full of adventure.

France forward Antoine Griezmann (L) celebrates his opening goal against Albania during their Euro 2016 Group A match in Marseille on Wednesday. Photo: AFP