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Tag: Olivier Giroud

  • France advances to semifinals at World Cup, tops England 2-1

    France advances to semifinals at World Cup, tops England 2-1

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    AL KHOR, Qatar — France’s players reacted as if they had already won the World Cup. What they were actually celebrating, though, was Harry Kane’s missed penalty.

    The match wasn’t over yet, but France was leading 2-1 when Kane, England’s captain and its best player, stepped up to take a penalty that would even the score in the 84th minute of Saturday’s match at Al Bayt Stadium.

    He sent his shot high over the bar and defending champion France held on to win 2-1 for a spot in the semifinals.

    “That’s ,” England coach Gareth Southgate said. “There is nobody I would rather have in that situation and if we had one tomorrow, I’d feel exactly the same way.”

    France is looking to become the first country to successfully defend its World Cup title since Brazil — led by Pele — won back-to-back tournaments in 1958 and 1962. Italy also won two World Cups in succession in 1934 and 1938.

    France will next face Morocco on Wednesday for a spot in the final.

    “We are getting to the semifinals. We are closer to the final and this was an important achievement tonight and we can believe, but we have an important game on Wednesday,” France coach Didier Deschamps said. “In the past the world champions didn’t always do well in the next World Cup and we’ve managed to do that.”

    France knows that all too well.

    As defending champions in 2002, the French team was eliminated in the group stage. France reached the final in 2006, losing to Italy in a penalty shootout, and then was knocked out in the group stage four years later in 2010.

    On Saturday, Aurelian Tchouameni gave France the lead but England evened the score when Kane converted from the penalty spot in the 54th minute. Olivier Giroud put France back in front with a header in the 78th minute, setting up Kane for that chance to equalize again against his Tottenham teammate, France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.

    That’s when he blasted his shot over.

    “It is very difficult when you get a second penalty and, of course, a goalkeeper that knows you really well as well,” Southgate said. “There’s a lot involved in that situation. He’s the best, but the best are still 85% (accurate), so even the best are going to miss at times.”

    Kane sank to his knees after the final whistle. His earlier goal put him in a tie with Wayne Rooney as his country’s leading scorer, but that wasn’t what mattered.

    At the same time, an elated France team ran across the field in a blue wave of celebration before gathering together in a huddle, bouncing up and down joyously.

    The singing and dancing continued into the locker room.

    Morocco, the first African team to reach the semifinals of a World Cup, now stands in the way of France’s bid to make history.

    “Allow us to savour our victory tonight against a very good England team,” Deschamps said when faced with questions about his next opponent.

    For Southgate, it’s time for reflection as he decides whether to carry on in the England job after leading the team through three tournaments since he was hired in 2016.

    “Whenever I’ve finished these tournaments I’ve needed time to make the correct decision because emotionally you go through so many different feelings and the energy that it takes through these tournaments is enormous,” he said. “I want to make the right decision, whatever that is for the team, for England, the FA (Football Association). I think it is right to take time to do that.

    “I know in the past how much my feelings have fluctuated in the immediate aftermath of tournament.”

    BOLD APPROACH

    Southgate has often been criticized for being too cautious in the biggest games, but he opted for a back four against France and loaded his team with attacking threats.

    FLAT START

    Maguire kicked the ball out of play at the very beginning of the match even though there was no pressure from a France opponent. Air was leaking out of the ball and Maguire informed the referee that a new one was needed.

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    James Robson is at https://twitter.com/jamesalanrobson

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    AP World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/world-cup and https://twitter.com/AP—Sports

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  • France vs Poland FIFA World Cup 2022: Olivier Giroud becomes France’s all-time top scorer

    France vs Poland FIFA World Cup 2022: Olivier Giroud becomes France’s all-time top scorer

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    Olivier Giroud scored against Poland in FIFA World Cup 2022’s last-16 clash on Sunday to become France’s all-time top scorer with 52 goals. Giroud also broke Thierry Henry’s record with his goal, giving the defending champions a 1-0 lead over Poland.

    The 36-year-old Giroud had tied with Henry’s record of 51 goals when he scored twice in a 4-1 win over Australia in France’s opening Group D game in Qatar.

    The AC Milan forward broke the record on his 117th appearance for France. Henry, on the other hand, scored 51 times in 123 matches between 1997 and 2010.

    Giroud, on Sunday’s match against Poland, collected a pass from Kylian Mbappe in the 44th minute and sent a low shot with his left foot past Poland goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny, his former teammate at Arsenal.

    As per the current standings in the FIFA World Cup 2022’s Golden Boot – which is awarded to the player with the most goals in the tournament – Giroud stands in sixth place with three goals in three matches.

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  • France can win WCup group in style, Tunisia simply must win

    France can win WCup group in style, Tunisia simply must win

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    DOHA, Qatar — Defending champion France has not won its three World Cup group-stage matches since winning its first title in 1998.

    Tunisia hasn’t even won three matches in its World Cup history, but must beat France on Wednesday to have any chance of advancing to the round of 16 in Qatar. And Tunisia‘s coach Jalel Kadri is feeling the heat.

    “I’m not in Jalel’s position,” France coach Didier Deschamps said. “But they will go for broke.”

    Kadri said before the tournament it was his “personal mission” to advance past the group stage and hinted he would quit otherwise.

    The French are looking to match the ’98 team captained by Deschamps. But with Les Bleus already qualified, they only need a draw to guarantee top spot in Group D.

    Deschamps has the luxury of resting key players.

    “There will be changes,” he said. “Everyone’s ready to play.”

    He was evasive when asked if the prolific Kylian Mbappé insisted on playing or accepts he needs a breather.

    “Physically he’s fine,” Deschamps said. “Kylian doesn’t have a big ego, he’s important for us and makes the difference. But he’s always accepted what the team needs.”

    One option is to move Antoine Griezmann up from his new position in right midfield into a striker’s role alongside Olivier Giroud, who needs one more goal to become France’s all-time leading scorer with 52 goals.

    Deschamps hailed the unselfishness of Griezmann, a prolific forward himself with 42 goals and 26 assists for France.

    “He gets as much pleasure tackling someone as setting up a goal,” Deschamps said. “He’s always been like that. For him it’s not even been a sacrifice (in midfield).”

    The gulf between the sides looks vast.

    France has six goals in two games — three for Mbappé and two for Giroud — while Tunisia was blanked after drawing 0-0 with Denmark and fluffing chances in a 1-0 defeat against Australia.

    The Tunisians have never been past the group stage in five World Cups and their two wins were 40 years apart: against Mexico in 1978 and Panama four years ago in Russia.

    Despite good technical ability, there appears little cutting edge to this Tunisia side, despite the presence of attacking midfielders Wahbi Khazri — who scored twice at the last World Cup and has 24 international goals — and Naim Sliti.

    France, however, carries multiple attacking threats.

    Deschamps has always been a shrewd tactician, with deep layers of tactical knowledge gleaned from playing and coaching in Italy with Juventus.

    In Qatar he’s kept things more simple with a direct approach that has surprised opponents, using the wings as his main route to goal.

    It worked immediately, with the team scoring with three headers — a rarity for France — against Australia.

    The pace of Mbappé on the left and Ousmane Dembélé’s searing speed down the right, with the ideal marksman in Giroud benefitting from the crosses. If Dembélé comes off, then Deschamps can turn to Kingsley Coman — who scored Bayern Munich’s winner in the 2020 Champions League final.

    “Our wide players make the difference. Look at who they are!” central defender Raphael Varane said. “Going wide knocks our opponents off balance.”

    The French seem very relaxed at this World Cup, which hasn’t always been the case, notably when the squad went on strike at training at the 2010 World Cup.

    Midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni even started learning piano on Monday night, joining a group of wannabe musicians in the squad.

    “Hopefully if we win the World Cup we can put on a concert,” he joked.

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    AP World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/world-cup and https://twitter.com/AP—Sports

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  • Oliver Giroud Delivers Another Win For AC Milan As World Cup Call-up Beckons

    Oliver Giroud Delivers Another Win For AC Milan As World Cup Call-up Beckons

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    To say Saturday night was an eventful one for Olivier Giroud might be an understatement.

    The striker was left out of AC Milan’s starting XI for the clash with Spezia, but his presence would leave an indelible mark on the game after he was introduced in the 72nd minute.

    Before he came onto the field, compatriot Theo Hernández had opened the scoring, only to see Daniel Maldini – on loan from the Rossoneri and son of club legend Paolo – net Spezia’s first away goal of the season.

    Sandro Tonali then saw a spectacular right-footed effort ruled out for a foul in the build up, and the stalemate would eventually see Stefano Pioli turn to his bench and send Giroud into the fray.

    Just over 10 minutes later, a minor scuffle saw the Frenchman given a yellow card, joined in the referees book by Hernández and Spezia striker M’Bala Nzola.

    Then, in the final minute, a brilliant cross from Tonali picked out Giroud, who connected with a stunning volley that would deliver a hard fought victory for the reigning Serie A champions.

    The scorer celebrated wildly, so overjoyed that he tore off his shirt and received a second yellow card, meaning he will be suspended for the midweek trip to face Cremonese.

    “It was a good goal and a fine pass from Sandro, we wanted to win this match, we were fired up to the end,” Giroud said in an interview with Sky Italia shortly after the final whistle. “The most important thing is that tomorrow we have an extra three points, but I am a bit angry because I am suspended.

    “I’ll feel better in an hour or so. I was furious with myself, but I tried to shut up. I did my job, I put the ball in the back of the net. Football is like that, with the adrenaline and joy of giving victory to my team, after a difficult game, in my head I am still a little kid! I had to celebrate.”

    The goal continued a fantastic run of form from the 36-year-old, weighing in with four goals and two assists in his last four appearances. That he has done so in just 201 minutes of playing time over those matches makes it even more impressive, a feat which underlines just how effective he has been all season long.

    His overall record stands at 16 goals and five assists in just 29 appearances for club and country, prompting Milan to step up discussions over extending Giroud’s current contract which expires in June next year.

    That comes as no surprise after the former Arsenal and Chelsea striker developed the habit of netting in crucial moments, including vital goals against AS Roma, Lazio, Napoli and Inter.

    Indeed, Giroud’s two-goal display in the Milan Derby was seen by many as the result which sparked his side’s title run, and another brace against Sassuolo mathematically sealed that Scudetto.

    Delivering Milan’s first Serie A crown in 11 years saw him become a hero to supporters on the Curva Sud, a remarkable feat for a player signed by the club for just €1 million ($990,000) back in July 2021.

    Meanwhile, Giroud’s form has also seen him remain in contention for a place in the France squad for the upcoming World Cup, with boss Didier Deschamps unable to overlook his undeniable impact.

    Looking back to the 2018 edition of the World Cup in Russia, Giroud started six of France’s seven matches and although he failed to get on the scoresheet, he still played an effective role in the team, holding up the ball before bringing Antoine Griezmann and Kylian Mbappé into play.

    Furthering his case is Giroud’s newfound ability to impact games from the bench, meaning if Deschamps opts to start Karim Benzema as his first-choice striker, he can do so knowing he has an alternative to turn to should the team need a spark.

    Saturday night was certainly eventful, but it was also simply another reminder of just how effective Olivier Giroud remains for club and country. Not that Didier Deschamps or Stefano Pioli needed one.

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    Adam Digby, Contributor

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