Griezmann

An injury crisis at Qatar 2022 has forced Didier Deschamps to adapt and in Griezmann he has found a gift that keeps on giving. Soccer Football - FIFA World ...

When Azzedine Ounahi broke free of France’s defence and shot low and hard for the far corner, Lloris was at full stretch to push it wide. Who was up the other end, defusing pressure by drawing a foul? (Someone at Fifa really needs to check Mbappe’s boots to make sure he’s not hiding rockets in the heels.) So the first opposition player to score against Morocco in this World Cup (their only previous goal conceded an OG by Nayef Aguerd against Canada) was not Mbappe, or Olivier Giroud, or Ousmane Dembele, or even Griezmann, but Theo Hernandez – France’s left-back. Griezmann was the more advanced attacking midfielder for this game, for the first goal appearing as if from nowhere in behind Morocco’s two left-sided defenders in a back five – left-back Noussair Mazraoui and left-sided centre-back Jawad El Yamiq. Mbappe and Messi chase an intriguing treble: a chance to win the World Cup, Golden Boot and Golden Ball, a feat achieved only by Paolo Rossi, Garrincha and Mario Kempes, and not for 40 years.

Griezmann was central to France's performance as he helped his side hold on to a clean sheet despite being put under enormous pressure by the Moroccan ...

France struck first after dominating the early minutes of the match. Kylian Mbappe tried to connect to a cutback pass from Antoine Griezmann but mistimed both attempts. France’s Antonie Griezmann won the player of the match award for his high-intensity performance against Morocco in the FIFA World Cup semifinal on Thursday.

Christophe Dugarry has compared Antoine Griezmann to Zinedine Zidane and Michel Platini ahead of France's World Cup semi-final clash with Morocco.

In addition, he runs, he gallops, he fills the gaps, he feels the opponents' play." Dugarry has argued that this output from Griezmann in Qatar makes him more suited to a playmaker role, instead of playing as a fully-fledged forward, as he often does for his club. The 31-year-old provided the all-important assist to set up Giroud's eventual winner [against England in last Saturday's quarter-final match](https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/griezmann-france-hotel-celebrations-world-cup-quarter-final-england/blt5b4efd5ff8a31dfe), and his role as a fluid playmaker has made him a difficult proposition for opposition defences. He always has the right tone, the right pass. But, as soon as Antoine touches the ball, he puts rhythm on a pass, on a vision. [being focused on Kylian Mbappe](https://www.goal.com/en/news/mbappe-vs-hakimi-bromance-battle-france-morocco-world-cup-fate/blt9221ff394d312211) during this tournament for France, Griezmann - just like Olivier Giroud - has played a starring role for Les Bleus so far and has been a key reason behind the team advancing to the semi-finals.

It is easy to take him for granted, but Griezmann's value to France is best defined by the multitude of functions he fulfils.

With Griezmann in this richest of veins, he is inclined to believe that anything is possible. “I am quite free in this new role, being the link between the defence and the forwards,” he explained. On this score, he has little reason to worry. If value can be measured in versatility, Griezmann has a powerful claim to be recognised as the player of this World Cup. He will certainly score fewer goals, but he loves to tackle and recover the ball. Where once he would dwell on the wing, or just behind the striker in the No 10 role, here he has papered over the injuries to Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante by roaming everywhere Deschamps demands. There is no ego about his play, a fact that can be difficult to reconcile with the man who once played Barcelona and Atletico Madrid off against each other in a tacky reality TV documentary. He has everything to play deeper: the vision, the work-rate, the touch, the energy, the intelligence.” “There is no sacrifice on his part, because he is so giving that he takes pleasure when he touches the ball and when he passes. Trust Griezmann to prise open the most obdurate defence in the tournament. Couple this with his devilish free-kick deliveries, which should twice have connected with a French head before Kolo Muani applied the coup de grace, and you understand why he is this side’s most complete talent. This was his 73rd consecutive match for his country, a streak that no compatriot has come close to emulating.

Antoine Griezmann was at the centre of the BBC pundits' praise on Wednesday night after a sensational performance in France's 2-0 win over a brave Morocco ...

When you think of the players they've got missing, him and Aurelien Tchouameni were fantastic on the defensive work.' Rio Ferdinand labelled the midfielder 'the best defensive player in the tournament' You've got to give credit to the way Didier Deschamps has used him.

Darting runs. Key tackles. Timely interceptions. Calming passes. Antoine Griezmann did it all for France on Wednesday, and now he's going to his second ...

The French followed that with the World Cup title in 2018, and they’ll get a chance to win a third in their history on Sunday against Argentina at Lusail Stadium. When Morocco put France under severe pressure in the second half, Griezmann responded with tackles, headers and blocks. And he will now try to deny Lionel Messi, his former teammate at Barcelona, of a first World Cup title on Sunday.

France's Antoine Griezmann proved once again that he is the ultimate team player with another virtuoso performance to help guide his team to a second ...

I'm trying to keep my feet on the ground, remain composed, focus on recovery and prepare for Sunday's match." We know they'll have a lot of support in the crowd. "Scoring an early goal made things easier for us as well and the second goal made it more comfortable for us. "Any team with Messi is a different proposition. "They have a strong side around Messi. "I feel good in my legs, in my mind...

Greizmann has assured fans that France 'will be prepared' as they face an in-form Messi and a well-supported Argentina.

Messi is the leading goalscorer this tournament along with France’s Kylian Mbappe with five goals. After the semifinal win, however, Griezmann urged his team to not become complacent. Injuries to Paul Pogba and N’golo Kante before the tournament meant Griezmann, who usually plays as a forward, was forced to drop into midfield – something he has done with aplomb – racking up three vital assists in the knockout stages.

France defeated Morocco 2-0 to get to the World Cup final against Argentina's Lionel Messi on Sunday. Antoine Griezmann continues to thrive in France's ...

The views expressed here are that of the respective authors/ entities and do not represent the views of Economic Times (ET). His recent enthralling performance, stopping Morocco's historic run to the semi-finals, further bolstered such an evaluation. [World Cup](/topic/world-cup)matches, witnessed Argentina play and know how they play.

When the coronavirus pandemic subsided sufficiently for Barcelona to return to training in May 2020, there was a surprise in store for French international ...

Messi left Barcelona in 2021 and then it really was other factors impeding Griezmann making it at the club. It was a fairly lame attempt at showmanship and it was not repeated. Sergio Busquets was already fading, Frenkie de Jong had still not adapted, and it was clear Miralem Pjanic was not the solution. Beyond Suarez and Arturo Vidal, Messi had no deep friendship with anyone at the club post-Neymar so Griezmann was no outlier in that sense. Griezmann lacked the pace and direct running to open space up for the other two. It was the kind of thing the Argentine could have changed if he wanted to.

Four and a half years on from beating Croatia to win their second world title, Didier Deschamps' side are reaching another final by seeing off spirited ...

"We wanted to keep their dream alive. "We have seen Argentina play, we know how they play. We will be well prepared." "We have given a good image of Morocco and a good image of African football." "We have seen practically all of their matches at this World Cup. "Any team with Messi in is a totally different proposition."