DIMITRI PAYET IS really establishing himself as a magician when it comes to free-kicks.
Tonight, he conjured another moment of genius when it mattered most as France got the better of Cameroon in an international friendly in Nantes.
Twice the hosts were pegged back.
Blaise Matuidi gave Les Bleus the lead after 20 minutes before Vincent Aboubakar equalised.
Then, shortly before the break, Olivier Giroud put France back in front only for Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting made it 2-2 on 88 minutes.
But, cometh the hour, cometh the man.
In the last minute of normal time, Payet stepped up to wrap his right-foot around the dead-ball from about 30 yards and it curled delightfully to the far corner – kissing the upright on its way.
In tonight’s other international friendly, the Republic of Ireland’s Euro 2016 opponents Sweden were held scoreless by Slovenia in a 0-0 draw in Malmo.
There was no Zlatan Ibrahimovic for the hosts – he missed the game due to a calf injury – but did address his hometown crowd at half-time as part of being honoured for reaching a century of caps for his country.
The Swedes take on Wales in their final warm-up game next Sunday before facing Martin O’Neill’s side on 13 June.
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