1) Forget Antoine Griezemann or Paul Pogba, the men gracing the covers of newspapers and magazines here this week, Dimitri Payet is the main man for France in this tournament and a joy to watch.
The West Ham midfielder has clearly brought last season’s club form with him to the international set-up. Pogba can be a driving force from midfield and Griezemann a threat in attack, but Payet is the creative heart of the side.
His quick feet and delivery from set pieces cause all sorts of problems for opposition defenders. He has the ability and the form to dominate the tournament in the way Michel Platini did in 1984. His winning goal will live long in the memory and is sure to feature on the front and back pages in the morning.
2) Oliver Giroud is not a world class finisher, despite his goal here.
OK, so that’s not something we learned tonight, but it came to the fore again on the big stage. He works hard and creates problems for defenders to get the chances but France need someone more prolific to put the ball in the back of the net.
Three chances came and went before he made the most of Ciprian Tatarusanu’s error to score the opening goal. Many French fans will feel that the absent Karim Benzema would have found the net with some of those opportunities.
Anthony Martial must surely be pushing him close for the starting place after his form for Manchester United this season, although he will have to wait a little longer after that goal.
3) France need Hugo Lloris to have a good Euros if they are to win a third tournament on home soil.
The Spurs keeper produced the goods as early as the third minute when he reacted superbly to keep out Bogdan Stancu’s close range shot.
He is likely to be kept busy over the next few weeks playing behind the unfamiliar central defensive partnership of Laurent Koscielny and Adil Rami, and the aging Patrice Evra, who gave away the penalty with a poor challenge on Nicolae Stancu.
4) There is plenty to admire in Romania’s stubborn defence, organisation and work-rate.
It’s easy to see why they conceded only two goals in an unbeaten qualifying campaign. They yielded a couple of chances to Giroud here but generally kept a tight line.
They were eventually undone by a goalkeeping error and a wonder strike.
They don’t offer a lot going forward but will face easier tests against Switzerland and Albania in their next two games.
5) Opening ceremonies are a waste of time, unless the great Danny Boyle or the mighty Communist Party of China are at the helm.
‘Superstar DJ’ David Guetta belting out a medley of hits did little to enliven an already boisterous atmosphere, although the ceremony ended on a high note with a colourful display of each of the 24 flags and a perfectly timed fly-past from the French Air Force.
