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Euro 2016: Sissoko Helps Hosts To Victory
Written by Newcastle Utd
A round-up of United stars past and present who were action at Euro 2016 in France over the weekend
By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Managing Editor
Moussa Sissoko was a late substitute for hosts France, who kicked off their Euro 2016 campaign with a victory on Friday night.
Les Bleus were 2-1 winners over Romania in the opening match of the tournament, at the Stade de France, with goals from Olivier Giroud and Dimitri Payet sandwiched either side of Bogdan Stancu's equaliser from the penalty spot.
United midfielder Sissoko replaced match-winner Payet in stoppage time but managed to race clear with seconds remaining and fire a left-footed shot narrowly wide of the upright.
Former Magpie Yohan Cabaye was an unused substitute and France's next Group A game sees them take on Albania on Wednesday in Marseille.
On Saturday, England played out a 1-1 draw with Russia in Group B.
Eric Dier's free-kick looked to have given the Three Lions maximum points from their opener, but a last-gasp header from Vasili Berezutski secured a share of the spoils at the Stade Velodrome, in Marseille.
Ex-Newcastle man James Milner replaced Raheem Sterling for the final three minutes of the contest, while goalkeeper Fraser Forster - who came up through the ranks on Tyneside - was an unused substitute.
Elsewhere, on Sunday, former Magpies forward Michael O'Neill took charge of Northern Ireland in their first outing at a major tournament for 30 years.
However, they slipped to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Poland in Group C, with Arkadiusz Milik's strike early in the second half proving to be the difference between the teams in Nice.
Ex-United youngster Shane Ferguson started for Northern Ireland at wing-back but was withdrawn after 66 minutes, while another old boy, Aaron Hughes, was an unused substitute.
Northern Ireland will be looking to bounce back against Ukraine on Thursday in Lyon.
