MARSEILLE, France (AP) – Bastian Schweinsteiger barely put a foot wrong in the first half of Germany’s European Championship semifinal against France. It was his hand that got him and his team into trouble.
Battling for position with Patrice Evra at a corner in first-half stoppage time, Schweinsteiger’s raised arm and hand made contact with the ball and referee Nicola Rizzoll pointed to the spot. The German captain could only look on as Antoine Griezmann calmly converted the spot kick with the last touch of the first half.
With Griezmann doubling France’s lead in the 72nd minute, Schweinsteiger’s miserable, injury-marred season finally ended one match too early for his liking Thursday, on the night the 31-year-old Germany captain won his 120th cap.