You can count on me
Giroud proves his worth for Les Bleus once again
LUXEMBOURG: A rare starter for his club Arsenal this season, Olivier Giroud once again proved his worth to France when he bagged a double in their 3-1 win in Luxembourg in a World Cup qualifier.
The powerful striker’s 22nd and 23rd international goals lifted him to 10th on the list of France’s all-time top scorers after being Les Bleus’ leading marksman in 2016.
“Even if he’s got difficulties at his club, Olivier often scores for us,” said France coach Didier Deschamps.
“It was not an easy game but we did what we had to do. Three points, three goals, it’s positive.”
Giroud has started only seven English Premier League games for Arsenal but he showed no sign of rustiness against Luxembourg as his muscular presence proved invaluable against a team playing very defensively.
He scored the first goal from close range after a fine pass from Djibril Sidibe and headed home the second from Benjamin Mendy’s cross in his 60th international.
“It’s a real pleasure because strikers need goals and statistics are important for us,” Giroud said.
“Whatever people say about me, I stay true to myself and give my answers on the pitch.” His performance helped France stay top of qualifying Group A with 13 points from five games, three ahead of Sweden who they visit on June 9.
Luxembourg endured a difficult start as goalkeeper Anthony Moris sustained a knee injury and was substituted by Ralph Schon in the 21st minute.
Griezmann found Djibril Sidibe on the right flank and striker Giroud latched on to the Monaco fullback’s pass to put Les Bleus ahead after 28 minutes with his 22nd international goal.
Luxembourg, however, reacted swiftly and Joachim converted a penalty in the 34th minute after Blaise Matuidi had brought down Daniel Da Mota.
France were clearly the superior side, however, and Griezmann put the visitors back in front three minutes later with a penalty after Sidibe was fouled by Da Mota.
France went close to a third goal when Matuidi’s half-volley crashed against the post.
The Euro 2016 runners-up lost Sidibe when he was carried off the pitch on a stretcher with a rib injury.
The third goal came in the 77th minute when Giroud headed home a cross by Benjamin Mendy, who was making his international debut after an impressive season with Monaco.