Dimitri Payet was the man who was driven to tears by the standing ovation from the Stade de France crowd tonight as he was subbed off.
And his winning goal against Romania only capped a performance as France's real difference maker in attack.
While Antoine Griezmann and Olivier Giroud - his goal aside - were not sharp, Payet was the man who was the advanced playmaker, especially as the main outlet in the channels behind the Romania midfield press.
The West Ham revelation finished the game with eight key passes and one assist for Giroud's goal, leading the way as France's creator.
The rest of the team together put together four key passes and seeing as Payet got double that alone as well as a goal and assist, that sums up his excellent performance.
Romania Press
Romania manager Anghel Iordanescu had hinted that his side wouldn't just sit back tonight and he was true to his word.
Dangerous on the counter-attack, they helped stifle France's potent midfield by pressing high. While pressing did not always come in the shape of tackles, interceptions and blocks which you can see above, the midfield trio's harrying was resistance enough for long periods.
Indeed, France's best first half chances came when they were able to evade the press and get Payet, in particular into the game to fashion chances.
Note on the manager
As France chased the winner, Didier Deschamps made a decision which mystified Paul Pogba. He took him off the field with the midfielder's face needing no translation. "Who? Me?" was the main view for the Stade de France to see with their own eyes.
But the manager had already taken France's other star man off earlier in the second half when Antoine Griezmann was hauled off.
Both were bold calls but did not cost France so a tip of the hat must go Deschamps as Les Bleus found a way to victory.
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