Griezmann and Giroud come good on the international stage

FRANCE

Griezmann 18, Giroud 71

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Strike partners Antoine Griezmann and Olivier Giroud scored as France began their World Cup warm-up programme with a comfortable win against Wales last night.

Both have struggled for their clubs, with Griezmann lacking goals for Atletico Madrid and Giroud hardly managing to get a game for Arsenal.

But, in the continued absence of Karim Benzema for France, they still work very well in tandem for Les Bleus and did so again in this friendly fixture in Paris. They have been coach Didier Deschamps’ front two since last year’s European Championship and are odds-on to continue at the World Cup in Russia next year. France, who qualified top of their section, went ahead on 18 minutes and Griezmann’s goal will give him confidence after only two league goals for Atletico this season. He held his run just late enough to latch on to Corentin Tolisso’s pass over the top of the defence and volleyed past goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey, although Hennessey should have done better as he got both hands to it.

Thesecondgoalcame20minutes from time. Giroud, pictured, collected a pass from the irrepressible Kylian Mbappe and then fooled his marker by clipping a shot inside the post.

Wales, who failed to qualify for Russia, have been drifting since reaching the semis at Euro 2016. A flick by Aaron Ramsey that was well saved by goalie Steve Mandanda was as close as they got last night.