Dimitri Payet: 'I've worked hard for France opportunity'

France attacker Dimitri Payet has admitted that he relished the opportunity to play in front of a home crowd as he netted the winning goal in the host nation's 2-1 win over Romania.

After Bogdan Stancu had cancelled out Olivier Giroud's header, Payet struck a 20-yard effort into the top corner to send France to the top of Group A.

The West Ham United playmaker has acknowledged that he was only considered an outsider to make Didier Deschamps's squad 12 months ago but said that he had 'worked hard' to gain a chance at the 24-team tournament.

The 29-year-old is quoted by BBC Sport as saying: "At the start of the season, a lot of people would have found it hard to believe I would be here.

"I have got here by working hard. When I saw the stadium tonight I knew I was going to have fun."

Payet has now scored four goals in 20 international appearances, with three of those strikes coming since the end of March.