France secured a 2-1 victory over Romania in the opening game of Euro 2016 courtesy of a stunning Dimitri Payet strike at the Stade de France tonight.
Les Bleus dazzled in patches but struggled against a stubborn Romanian side but managed lay down a marker in Group A.
The hosts began nervously and almost fell behind when Bogdan Stancu ghosted in at the back post only to be denied by Hugo Lloris.
Despite such an early scare, France grew into the game and began to control possession, courtesy of Paul Pogba's imposing presence in the centre of the park.
Antoine Griezmann went close after Vlad Chiriche's half clearance fell kindly to him but the Atletico Madrid forward's header cannoned back off the post.
France continued to create plenty of opportunities in the first half but Romania, who conceded just twice in qualifying, remained relatively comfortable.
Didier Deschamps resisted the temptation to make changes at the interval and it was Romania who began brightly after the break when Stancu flashed an acrobatic attempt wide.
France finally made the breakthrough when Olivier Giroud rose highest to meet Dimitri Payet's cross and nodded home to send the Paris crowd into raptures.
The Arsenal striker's goal should have been a platform to build on during the closing stages but the hosts hung onto their lead for less than 10 minutes after Patrice Evra clattered into Nicolae Stanciu and conceded a penalty.
Stancu kept his cool and sent Lloris the wrong way to draw the Romanians level with 25 minutes left on the clock.
France looked destined to come up short until Payet curled home a superb effort to break Romanian hearts and put Les Bleus in control of their Group.
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