Dimitri Payet scored a stunning strike in a 7-0 friendly win over Paris FC’s under-19 side yesterday as France’s preparations for the first knock-out round continued.
Payet enjoyed a wonderful debut season at West Ham, scoring twelve and assisting fifteen in 38 appearances, as well as earning a place in the Premier League Team of the Season, before jetting off to the European Championships with France. His fine form has continued thus far, scoring in the opening two group games, before being rested for their final fixture having already secured qualification for the next round.
The 29-year-old dragged France through the group stages and has been the Player of the Tournament so far – an accolade hotly contested by Welsh star Gareth Bale, who scored in each of his country’s three group games.
French national team boss Didier Deschamps speaks very highly of Payet and will be hoping the former Marseille man can replicate his goal scored against Paris FC U19s (as seen below at roughly the fourteen-second mark) in their round of 16 tie.
Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud scored four times and was joined by Manchester United’s Anthony Martial and West Ham target Samuel Umtiti on the scoresheet.
