Antoine Griezmann hailed as France’s Superman by Arsenal legend Thierry Henry after helping secure Euro 2016 final spot
Griezmann scored his fifth and sixth goals of the tournament as France beat Germany 2-0
ANTOINE GRIEZMANN was hailed as France’s Superman as he set up a revenge mission against Cristiano Ronaldo.
The French striker struck twice to KO world champions Germany to book their place in Sunday’s Paris Euro 2016 final with Portugal.
France legend Thierry Henry beamed: “Griezmann is the main man. We again have a hero and the next striker to make us win tournaments - hopefully.
“I am actually so emotional - it’s nice to see the togetherness of the team and the fans.”
Euro top-scorer Griezmann’s double took his tally to six for the tournament - three ahead of Ronaldo and is now favourite to win the Golden Boot.
His first came from the penalty spot - a controversial first-half handball by Germany captain Bastian Schweinsteiger - as the Atletico Madrid striker atoned for May’s Champions League spot-kick miss against cross-city rivals Real and Ron.
Griezmann said: “I missed my pen in the Champions League final and I wanted to make sure that hit the back of the net.
“I really wanted to take a penalty in another important match. I’m pleased to have taken the decision and to have scored.
“It’s a group effort and we’re so thrilled to get to the final and we’ll make the most of it tonight.
“We’re like kids, there’s a whole country behind us and we have to give 100 per cent for them. Now we have to win the final.”
Griezmann also revealed French president Francois Hollande had inspired them following fears the tournament would be a terrorist target.
The striker’s sister Maud was caught up in the Bataclan theatre during last November’s Paris terror attacks.
Griezmann added: “The president came to talk to us about the security measures in and around the stadia. We were pretty calm. It was our duty to win the matches, and go all the way in this tournament. That’s what we needed to do, representing France. I hope we can continue now in the final.”
Griezmann’s half-a-dozen of goals has only been bettered than fellow countryman Michel Platini, who scored NINE times in 1984.
And when Griezmann, who took his international goal-scoring tally to 13 with his Marseille brace, scores, France never lose.
He added: “Yes, I’ve got to this figure and I hope one day to get closer to him.”
France have won all of their last TEN meetings against Portugal, stretching back to April 1975.
Now Arsenal striker Oliver Giroud wants the hosts to win the Euros for a third time.
Giroud said: “It’s an emotional night. I’d really like to write a chapter in history. Everyone wants to achieve something great on Sunday. We can’t stop now.”
For Germany, this was their fourth defeat in their last six semi-final appearances at a major tournament as France ended a 58-year jinx.
Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer said: “There are no worse moments than losing these games. 2-0 was not a fair result.
“Of course the penalty was crucial but we had a whole half to equalise. We had chances but couldn’t take them. France took their chances.”
Germany boss Joachim Low added: “They will win against Portugal. We were the better side today but too many things went wrong.”