France’s Griezmann wins quick redemption
From benched to largerthan-life figure, French striker Antoine Griezmann knows how fast things change in soccer. Not only do goals change games, they also change perception.
The 25-year-old Atletico Madrid man was a non-factor just two weeks ago, when French manager Didier Deschamps had seen enough of him after an hour against Romania.
Upon seeing his number, Griezmann trotted off rather gingerly to a spattering of applause inside Stade de France. Were fans applauding his effort or his exit? Eventually, they were left applauding Dimitri Payet.
Griezmann, though, had gone from France’s big hope to the subject of widespread criticism. International soccer is cruel in that way. There are so few opportunities to change opinions, so few big matches to make a difference.
Up until Sunday’s Round of 16 meeting with the Republic of Ireland, the French were just Payet, a player whose incredible gamewinner versus Romania was still being held up as the moment of the tournament for the host nation.
All of that changed this weekend in Lyon, where Griezmann joined the likes of Ronaldo and Bale as one of euro 2016’s Golden Ball contenders after scoring two goals in another match that brought this country’s capital to a standstill.
That France trailed for a majority of Sunday’s match following a Robbie Brady penalty made Griezmann’s moment that much bigger. You didn’t need to be near a TV to know France had equalized a halfhour from the end.
The explosion of noise from nearby bars and homes and cars was enough to know Les Bleus were back on level terms after Griezmann — the smallest guy inside the box — rose to finish off a cross midway through the second half.
His match-winner minutes later was yet another momentous occasion for French fans, who’ve been spoiled with enough big moments to last decades. It also served confirmation that Deschamps has found his front three moving forward.
Olivier Giroud knocked a ball down in space for Griezmann, whose exquisite first touch set up his left-footed finish from the top of the penalty area. It was a deserved win for a French side that’s fallen short of expectations.
“It’s a very even tournament,” Deschamps said. “This team is giving a lot of emotion to the crowd and making everybody fall in love with them. There’s lots of emotion here in Lyon, and we really need this great support from the fans.”
Through struggle the French have gained something paramount to survival.
“I knew it was going to be a difficult match, and when Ireland took the lead it made us a bit more uncomfortable,” Deschamps said. “Ireland showed a lot of enthusiasm, but we had to dig deep, get through the situation and get in front.”
They’ve already survived scares from Romania and Albania, producing breathtaking, late-game winners in matches that otherwise might have altered the complexion of this tournament.
More importantly, though, the French now have the emergence of a secondary threat at this tournament. Until Sunday night, Payet appeared the only threat to hurt the opposition.
Whichever side gets through — England or Iceland — Monday night will have to concern itself with stopping two of the most dynamic and in-form attackers at this tournament.
But it’s impossible not to think ahead. In addition to chasing the Golden Boot and Golden Ball at this tournament, Griezmann is chasing French immortality — to have his name pinned up alongside the greats at Clairefontaine, France’s national soccer centre.
Names like Zidane and Barthez and Thuram — living legends who lifted France’s last major trophies in 1998 and 2000.
“My family were in the stands as Lyon is basically my hometown, so that adds to it,” Griezmann said.
“I hope to be able to continue this form and to help the team. We gave everything in the second half — you saw a different side to France.”
The reward is a return trip to Stade de France — a second chance for Griezmann to impress inside this country’s soccer cathedral.
He’s already eclipsed Payet to become the face of his team moving forward.
Next he’ll set his sights on the bigger names that brought a championship to this country.