A BREEZE FOR GRIEZ & GIROUD
Wales can’t cope with France strike stars
ANTOINE GRIEZMANN scored and stole the show as classy France proved too good for Wales last night.
Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud sealed a deserved win late on.
But it was Atletico Madrid striker Griezmann who excelled.
He was involved in most of France’s best moves and put them in front with a left-foot volley after 18 minutes.
Griezmann – a transfer target for Manchester United – had not scored for Atletico in six games.
But there was no sign at Stade de France of his confidence being dented. He always made himself available and often dropped deep to link play.
He also took corners and most set-pieces before being subbed shortly after the hour to an ovation.
But despite struggling to find a way into the game, Wales might have had a penalty when Laurent Koscielny fouled Joe Ledley before the break, only for the referee to ignore appeals for a spot-kick.
And they went close to levelling in the second half having thrown on youngsters Ben Woodburn, Ethan Ampadu and David Brooks.
France, who hit the woodwork three times, eventually underlined their clear superiority when Giroud’s shot took a deflection and beat keeper Wayne Hennessey.
Without star man Gareth Bale, the visitors were on the back foot from the start with France skipper Blaise Matuidi having two early opportunities.
Corentin Tolisso wasted a good opening in the eighth minute when he shot wide from the edge of the box after a Griezmann lay-off.
France were denied a minute later when Kylian Mbappe’s low shot ricocheted off Hennessey and on to the bar.
They were not to be denied for long. Griezmann latched on to Tolisso’s clever chip over the defence to volley home.
Hennessey got a hand to the ball but was unable to keep it out.
Wales might have scored an unlikely equaliser in the 36th minute when Neil Taylor’s low cross found Chris Gunter at the back post.
But the Reading defender’s low right-foot shot was easily dealt with by former Crystal Palace keeper Steve Mandanda.
Then came Koscielny’s challenge on Ledley, with Wales demands for a penalty failing to impress referee Jorge Sousa.
France continued to dominate after the interval as they looked for another goal.
Boss Chris Coleman’s triple substitution gave the Dragons a spark and Mandanda was forced to save from an Aaron Ramsey flick.
Allen’s follow up was also blocked.
France wrapped up the win on 71 minutes when Giroud’s shot clipped off James Chester on the way in.
It could have been more, with Samuel Umtiti hitting the bar and sub Benjamin Pavard a post.