Antoine Griezmann
Antoine Griezmann has not scored a single goal for France in this World Cup.
It seems a huge disappointment for a man who finished as top goalscorer and Player of the Tournament as France finished runner-up at UEFA Euro 2016, and won the Silver Boot as the second highest goalscorer as France won the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
But the 31-year-old Atletico Madrid attacker has no complaints.
After France defeated Morocco 2-0 on Wednesday to reach the World Cup final yet again Griezmann was declared Man of the Match for his all-round play.
“I feel good in my legs, in my mind... The work I did on vacation and later with Atleti [Atletico Madrid] did me good, it was what I needed. I try to help the team as much as possible, as always,” Griezmann said after the match.
The ultimate team man for Les Bleus, Griezmann seems to be enjoying his new role as the goal chances creator letting the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Olivier Giroud steal the limelight and headlines. But one cannot simply ignore Griezmann, whose versatility is there for everyone to see. The Atletico Madrid attacker has thrived in a playmaking role for France at Qatar 2022
Griezmann has played in a roaming role for Les Blues in Qatar and has three assists to his name, a tally that only Portugal’s Bruno Fernandes, England’s Harry Kane, and Argentina’s Lionel Messi can match.
He is behind only Messi in terms of chances created (17 compared to 18), having played a game less, and is joint-second for possession won in the final third.
Griezmann who is known for his attacking, passing, and supportive defence, has scored 42 goals in 116 appearances for his country. That is in addition to over 100 goals for Atletico Madrid and 22 for Barcelona.
Although Theo Hernandez and substitute Randal Kolo Muani scored for France against Morocco Griezmann really made his presence felt at both ends of the pitch.
Earlier, against England Griezmann played in a delightful cross for Giroud’s headed winner in the 2-1 quarter-final victory, having earlier assisted Aurelien Tchouameni.
Central midfielder Paul Pogba who could not make it to Qatar due to injury, on Instagram said Griezmann was playing like France’s injured all-action defensive midfielder N’Golo Kante.
Griezmann has been involved in eight goals in his last eight World Cup starts (three goals, five assists), with seven of those involvements coming in the knockout stages.
“Griezmann, I find him simply exceptional since the start of the competition [World Cup],” Christophe Dugarry, who was part of France’s 1998 World Cup-winning side, told RMC.
“I even find him, at times, ‘Zidane-esque’. He always has the right tone, the right pass. I sincerely think that the France team would not be the same without him.
“We often lack rhythm in our game; there’s not a lot of intensity. But, as soon as Antoine touches the ball, he puts rhythm on a pass, on a vision. He has a mix of Zizou [Zidane] and Platini.
“Platini, he enlightened the game, he had a vision. He saw the game before the others. Griezmann, I find him breathtaking. I find him calm, I find him serene, I find him mature.”
Dugarry said coach Didier Deschamps’ strength is to have put Griezmann in the unorthodox position.
“I think [Atletico boss] Diego Simeone will have to do it too. Griezmann must play as a midfielder. In addition, he runs, he gallops, he fills the gaps, he feels the opponents’ play.
“It’s a bit like a tennis player: the guy always returns the ball to you because he knows where you’re going to send the ball.”
Griezmann said scoring early against Morocco made things easy for his team.
“Morocco impressed me tonight, they set up very well tactically and defensively. In the second half they created a lot of opportunities,” he said.
“Scoring an early goal made things easier for us as well and the second goal made it more comfortable for us. It’s a tough game that came down to small details. We’re going to try and learn from this.”
In his consecutive World Cup final Griezmann will be up against the former Barcelona teammate Messi when France meet Argentina, attempting to become the first team in 60 years to retain the title.
“Any team with Messi is a totally different proposition,” said Griezmann of the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner at Barcelona.
“We know how Argentina play. They’re a difficult team to play and they seem to be on top form.
“It isn’t only Messi. They have a strong side around him. We know it’s going to be a tough game and they’re going to have a lot of supporters with them.”
If France are to win and retain the World Cup title on Sunday night Les Bleus' ‘best man’ Antoine Griezmann will have to come to the party big time. He has astutely done it so far.
