The Euro 2016 is about to hit and Dimitri Payet has already set the benchmark extremely high with an specific performance that was as complete as it was remarkable. Riding largely on Payet’s skilful display, France earned a tough 2-1 win over Romania on opening night – a much-needed result that will allow the home team to ease its nerves and grow into the tournament.

The best thing about Payet’s majestic show was that it did not really require a late moment of magic to be cherished. An unstoppable long-range strike in the dying moments to win the game was simply the icing on the cake. Prior to that, Payet had virtually ran the show for France – which when playing alongside the likes of Paul Pogba and Blaise Matuidi is no mean feat. Along the way, he also vindicated coach Didier Deschamps’ decision to prefer him over Anthony Martial in the starting XI.

 While the Payet was mainly placed on the left side of the front three, he wandered all over the field with great achievement. In cunningly finding pouches of space, the midfielder threw the Romanians off their game. In fact, such was his impact, particularly through the centre, it prompted Deschamps to take his star man Pogba off – a move that is almost unheard of – and tweak the formation to ensure that Payet was playing in his most effective position: as a playmaker slotted in behind the striker.