When an angel died one day, it was an underrated man who reminded everyone of how much he adored the game and had the tenacity to keep playing even when no one was watching.
But here, at the Al Janoub Stadium, another ruthless drive into the heart of the desert nation dotted with artificial oasis patches, the chanters of “Ale Le Bleu” rose in unison to honor Olivier Giroud, who scored two goals in France’s 4-1 triumph over Australia.
The Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema and the youthful sensation from the most recent World Cup, Kylian Mbappe, were the only players the AC Milan striker was in Qatar to support. However, Benzema’s last-minute injury thrust Giroud into the spotlight, and as has often happened before, he gave the squad another another selfless, tireless display.
With 51 goals for France, he is now tied with Thierry Henry for the most goals scored by a French player. He has also won the Europa League, Champions League, FA Cup, Ligue 1, Serie A, and the World Cup. But Giroud still has trouble finding love.
Didier Deschamps, a World Cup champion both as a player and as a coach, was unconcerned about breaking the Cup winners’ curse despite losing a number of players. (In the next World Cup, Germany (2014), Spain (2010), France (2002), Argentina (1986), Argentina (1978), and Italy (1938) all lost their opening games.) Giroud is a veteran of our squads, and he has the abilities to be vital for the team even when he is not scoring goals, the coach believed. Before the game, everyone loved and appreciated him within the team and in France, I’m sure.
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