Griezmann

DOMINIC KING IN QATAR: All the hoopla had been around Kylian Mbappe, for obvious reasons, but Stephan subtly changed the direction of the conversation.

‘We were going for a midfielder but a midfielder decided to go to another club — that can happen,’ Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said in August. England had worked tirelessly but this was the flashpoint you feared might cost them, when skill and vision combines to plunder a goal at a decisive juncture — Giroud’s header clipped Harry Maguire’s shoulder but it was always going in. And not a bad pointer for the weekend, either. ‘Olivier [Giroud] getting the most goals; Hugo [Lloris] going past Lillian Thuram’s number of appearances and then there is Antoine — 72 appearances in a row! ‘This is the World Cup of records for France!’ he beamed. DOMINIC KING: Antoine Griezmann caused England so much damage with his nous, tricks and flicks that got France moving in the right direction...

France's Antoine Griezmann bagged his 27th assist for his country against England in the FIFA World Cup quarterfinal, becoming the all-time leader in French ...

The forward has 42 goals for his country and is third in the list of all-time goalscorers for his country, behind Olivier Giroud (52) and Thierry Henry (51). His second assist came in the 78th minute after he picked out Olivier Giroud from the left flank, and the forward head the ball inside the net. Griezmann broke the joint-top record set by Thierry Henry and Zinedine Zidane (26).

The Atlético Madrid man's 28 assists passes Thierry Henry (27 assists) and Zinedine Zidane (26 assists) to hold France all time assist record. The move to the ...

The move to the midfield has been good for not only the team, but for him as a player. Not only has he been completing passes with over 80% accuracy and raking up assists, but making major defensive contributions. After his two assist performance against England the World Cup winner is now France’s all-time assist leader.

Antoine Griezmann's creativity is undimmed despite taking up a deeper role in Qatar with two assists in France's win against England.

He may still fly under the radar at times, but after winning the Silver Ball at the last tournament, Griezmann looks poised to perhaps add to his collection of silverware, at least on a collective level. This unfamiliarity can sometimes set Griezmann back – a booking late in the first half meant he was on tenterhooks for much of the start of the second, careful of potentially receiving another. Of course, Griezmann’s creativity is undimmed – his two assists, the second an inch-perfect ball for Giroud, were both clever and well worked but he has also taken on a more defensive role when France are not in possession, averaging as many tackles as Tchouaméni. Despite being much-maligned by fans of Manchester United, Pogba has been, by and large, excellent for his country, chipping in with timely goals and assists while still able to add a bit of steel when necessary. A former No 6 himself, he was always going to take a prosaic approach but it was no small shock when he announced pre-tournament that rather than continue with the same 3-4-1-2 that France had played at the European Championship last summer, with Griezmann in a free role behind Mbappé and Karim Benzema, he would play with four at the back. Antoine Griezmann has had, to be charitable, a rough go of it at club level since leaving Atlético Madrid for Barcelona in 2019 with Barça hampered by onerous financial restrictions and the departure of Lionel Messi.

How do you rate Antoine Griezmann's club career? Let us count the wins. One second division trophy with Real Sociedad, a Europa League title (and a ...

Antoine Griezmann led France's crazy celebrations at the team's hotel on Saturday following their tense 2-1 victory against England in the World Cup ...

[Antoine Griezmann](/sport/antoine-griezmann/index.html) led France's crazy celebrations at the team's hotel on Saturday following their tense 2-1 victory against [England](/sport/england_football/index.html) in the World Cup quarter-finals. - Antoine Griezmann led the celebrations as he danced around the hotel foyer Antoine Griezmann leads France's triumphant celebrations at their team hotel as Didier Deschamps' stars revel in their narrow 2-1 victory against England in the World Cup quarter-finals

Kylian Mbappe provides the magic, and Olivier Giroud the goals, but it is Antoine Griezmann who holds the key for Les Bleus, writes Matt Connellan.

The coach has played the Atletico star in the past 72 matches straight for Les Bleus. Deschamps, to his credit, has always seen Griezmann’s potential as a midfield conductor, a metronomic tempo setter with a left foot to die for. Griezmann made his name as an attacking player, either from the wing or just off the front line, but for France here he has played as a genuine number 8.