NO DOUBT NOW OVER ANTOINE’S LOYALTIES
Griezmann sinks Uruguayan pals
FRENCH fans might have had good reason to question Antoine Griezmann’s loyalties when he was seen embracing opponents with such emotion in the tunnel before kick-off.
After all, he’s confessed to having a deep affection for Uruguay and its culture, reinforced by his close friendship with Atletico Madrid team-mates Diego Godin — who is godfather to his daughter — and Jose Gimenez.
Les Bleus supporters needn’t have worried, though. Whatever admiration Griezmann might have for the South Americans, it was well and truly parked to one side for 90 minutes as he claimed a goal and an assist to ease France closer to their World Cup dream.
The 27-year-old forward created the opener for Raphael Varane five minutes before half-time and settled this quarter-final by firing in the second from distance with the help of a goalkeeping howler by Fernando Muslera.
As France move on now to St Petersburg, Uruguay head for home, with veteran manager Oscar Tabarez later talking in riddles about his own future but surely planning to enjoy a deserved rest from the rigours of the touchline.
Uruguay won their first four games in Russia but were not the same attacking force without the injured Edinson Cavani and rarely threatened France from open play.
Paris Saint-Germain striker Cavani injured a calf muscle having scored twice against Portugal last Saturday and, after days of cloak and dagger around his fitness, he was not even on the bench. Without him, Uruguay’s self belief was damaged and, with it, their famous fighting spirit.
Luis Suarez bustled around, barging into people and trying to disturb the rhythms of the game but this task was beyond Uruguay. Gimenez was sobbing on the pitch even before the fourth official had held up the board to declare five minutes of stoppage time.
Cristhian Stuani, who replaced Cavani, made a bright opening but France took control and deserved their place in the last four. Sure, there was none of the eye-catching flamboyance that they displayed against Argentina but they proved able enough to grind out an ugly win when they needed to.
Games are rarely fluent involving Uruguay. They are specialists in wind-up artistry, and they make things tense and fractious with plenty of niggle and late contact.
France’s Kylian Mbappe was unsettled as a result — and sparked a mass confrontation when the teenager over-reacted to a crafty nudge from Cristian Rodriguez.
It was 2-0 at the time and Nahitan Nandez had already shoved an elbow into Frenchman Corentin Tolisso’s ear and Lucas Torreira dropped his studs over the ball on Benjamin Pavard.
Mbappe hit the Neymar button, rolling around to exaggerate his pain, and a skirmish exploded, with Suarez rumbling around in the thick of it.
Argentinian referee Nestor Pitana, not a popular appointment with Uruguay, eventually settled the dispute with yellow cards for Mbappe and Rodriguez.
The contest was won and France coach Didier Deschamps was later relieved to escape any needless suspensions for their semi-final.
France had done the hard work when they stood firm in midfield in the early stages and made a vital breakthrough before the interval.
Rodrigo Bentancur felled Tolisso with a clumsy challenge from behind and Griezmann clipped the
free-kick into the penalty area with his left foot. Real Madrid defender Varane timed his run perfectly to glance a header inside the far post at pace. Muslera had little chance with this one.
Uruguay responded with a positive flurry of intent, forcing Hugo Lloris into a splendid save. Again from a set-piece, it was delivered by Torreira and was won in the air by Martin Caceres. Lloris stretched out across his line and blocked the header with his right hand. Godin should have done better but he blazed the rebound over. There would not be a clearer chance.
Tabarez made changes but Uruguay would find themselves two goals adrift before they could make an impact. Griezmann was 25 yards out as he took a short pass from Tolisso and was given all the time and space he needed to take aim. His strike was sweet and straight, there may have been a slight wobble in flight, but Muslera really should have saved easily.
Instead the goalkeeper panicked, pushed his palms at the ball and helped it into the net. For all the world, it wasn’t a million miles away from one of the howlers made by Liverpool’s Loris Karius in the Champions League final.
Griezmann took little delight in the goal, perhaps embarrassed to see it slither in, as well as feeling sorry for his Uruguayan friends.
‘When I started, someone from Uruguay taught me the good and bad of football,’ said the France striker, who at least managed a smile when he was substituted with a cuddle from Deschamps.
‘They are a tough team, they remind of my club side, Atletico, because everyone works hard in attack and defence. It’s a pleasure to watch. I love Uruguayan culture and Uruguayans. I have respect for Uruguay and it was normal not to celebrate my goals.’
No matter. He had done enough to ensure it would be France, and not his old Atletico pals, who have a date with destiny next week.
URUGUAY (4-3-1-2): Muslera 5; Caceres 6.5, Gimenez 6.5, Godin 6, Laxalt 6; Nandez 5 (Urretaviscaya 73min, 5), Torreira 6, Vecino 6; Bentancur 6 (Rodriguez 59, 5); Suarez 6, Stuani 6 (Gomez 59, 5). Booked: Bentancur, Rodriguez. Manager: Oscar Tabarez 6.
FRANCE (4-2-3-1): Lloris 7; Pavard 6.5, Varane 7, Umtiti 6.5, Hernandez 6; Kante 7, Pogba 6.5; Mbappe 6 (Dembele 88), Griezmann 7.5 (Fekir 90), Tolisso 7 (Nzonzi 80); Giroud 6. Scorers: Varane 40, Griezmann 61. Booked: Hernandez, Mbappe. Manager: Didier Deschamps 7. Referee: Nestor Pitana (Arg) 6.
Attendance: 43,319.