Manchester United’s talented striker Anthony Martial was only brought on late in extra-time as France failed to score against Portugal in the Euro 2016 final.
Portugal pulled off a stunning victory in the Euro 2016 final to win their first ever major piece of silverware. An injury to Cristiano Ronaldo within the first half left Portuguese fans shattered, but late substitute Eder pulled out a goal in extra-time to hand them a historic victory.
Les Bleus manager Didier Deschamps was forced to turn to the bench after his goal scoring trio of Antoine Griezmann, Olivier Giroud and Dimitri Payet failed to come good in the final. Halfway through the second half, the manager brought on Andre Pierre Gignac, who plays in the Mexican league, while ignoring Manchester United forward Anthony Martial.
The fans were baffled by this decision.
I can’t understand how you can leave Anthony Martial on the bench and bring on Gignac. Martial’s made for this game inside the box.
— Liam Canning (@OffsideLiam) July 10, 2016
Imagine bringing Gignac on and not Martial
— Peter Mcpartland (@PED7) July 10, 2016
How is Gignac coming on before Martial? Gignac would not get a game for some of the teams I’ve managed and trust me that’s saying something
— curtis woodhouse (@woodhousecurtis) July 10, 2016
Deschamps fatal error was trusting Gignac ahead of Martial. Gignac hasnt played a competitive game in years. Martial had to be his 1st sub.
— All For United (@allforunited) July 10, 2016
As they continued to be thwarted by the Portuguese defence and defeat looked ominous, the France manager finally turned to Martial. However it was too little too late, as the young striker was brought on with only 6 minutes of extra time left to play.
Deschamps brings Martial on when the match is over 20 mins into extra time. Absolutely crazy manager.
— Hashbrown (@hesham786) July 10, 2016
Finally… Martial ON when you conceed! #FRA #Euro2016Final pic.twitter.com/RxaPDdvKrz
— Full Time DEVILS (@FullTimeDEVILS) July 10, 2016
Deschamps finally puts Martial on. Dismal performance by the France coach. Too negative and unambitious
— Mark Ogden (@MarkOgden_) July 10, 2016
Kept Martial on the bench the ENTIRE tournament & now you’re giving him 6 minutes to save you
— Nedu E. (@pcege) July 10, 2016
If as a manager you desperately need a goal and you wait till added time before bringing Martial on you deserve to lose
— Neville’s nutsack (@nevsnuts) July 10, 2016
Oh so now Martial comes in….. pic.twitter.com/bDoXQYnD5M
— Castro1021 (@Castro1021) July 10, 2016
Not bringing Martial on earlier was the worst decision since Brexit!
— ManUtd Empire Zone (@manutdizred) July 10, 2016
Martial’s face says it all
Probably thinking “this guy can’t be serious” pic.twitter.com/xVWdnauR8q
— thelifeofpatson (@patson_manda) July 10, 2016
Anthony Martial also drew comparisons with his Manchester United teammate Marcus Rashford, who was used similarly by England’s now ex-manager Roy Hodgson.
Rashford and Martial can score vital goals in crucial matches but Hodgson and Deschamp kept them on the bench till last mins. What happened?
— MUFC LAD (@remy_mufc) July 10, 2016
And now he brings Martial on with 10 minutes to go. Rashford all over again FFS.
— Hayley B (@Hayles_101) July 10, 2016
No Rashford. No Party for England.
No Martial. No Party for France.
— Ramesh (@RameshK1902) July 10, 2016
Still got more time on the pitch than Rashford and Martial combined.. pic.twitter.com/64Nkok03Pd
— Zlatan (@Vintage_Zlatan) July 10, 2016
