Watch: Howedes makes absurd slide tackle to deny Giroud on breakaway

Olivier Giroud will never be mistaken for a pacey striker, but that shouldn't take away from what was a brilliant, last-ditch tackle from Benedikt Howedes in the opening half of Thursday's semi-final.

The French striker looked to be clean through on goal after beating Jerome Boateng to the ball, but Howedes - only playing due to the suspension to Mats Hummels - denied Les Bleus the opener with an absolutely perfect challenge to thwart the bearded striker.