Antoine Griezmann craftily created France’s opener and profited from a glaring error by Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera, sending Les Bleus into World Cup 2018’s semi-finals.
Griezmann, 27, saved his best display of the tournament for a nation close to his heart. Atletico Madrid centre-backs Diego Godin – godfather to his daughter – and Jose Gimenez could not keep a lid on their club-mate.
Here is an analysis of the star performer’s stellar run-out at Nizhny Novgorod Stadium.
STATISTICS
30-SECOND REPORT
This breakout match for Griezmann in Russia emphatically brought an end to talk that he’d yet to truly deliver on his outstanding club form at the end of 2017/18.
A delayed release before his perfect, 40th-minute free-kick allowed Real Madrid centre-back Raphael Varane to nod in, then a swerving 61st-minute pot shot befuddled Muslera.
This run-out was more of what we’ve come to expect. Plus, with the prospect of even more to come from a pivotal figure for club and country.
GOT RIGHT
Making his influence count – The big stage is dominated by the biggest players – this is a maxim that Griezmann adheres to.
At Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, his fortunate second-half strike made it seven goals in his last six knockout-stage appearances in major competitions. This spell includes three goals at World Cup 2018, he’d previously converted two penalties, plus a brace in the Europa League final and critical goal at Arsenal in the last-four.
An ability to influence matches at the deep end of competition that is matched only by a select few.
GOT RIGHT
Influence at both ends – Griezmann is a dream for France head coach Didier Deschamps.
By the time the forward was sacrificed three minutes into second-half injury time, he’d made France’s third-most touches (81), most key passes (three), joint-most attempts on goal (two) and most tackles (five).
This desire to both hurt Uruguay when in possession, and lead the constricting press when out of possession, put Les Bleus on a winning course.
With a support cast that also included magnificent centre midfielders N’Golo Kante and Paul Pogba, France look a fearsome prospect.
7 - Antoine Griezmann has scored seven goals in his last six appearances in the knockout stages of major tournaments (World Cup and European Championships). Magnifique.#URU #FRA #URUFRA #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/LyidbKaQt6
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) July 6, 2018
KEY MOMENTS
20th min CHANCE CREATED: Saw left-back Diego Laxalt charging in at speed. A insouciant nutmeg followed to create space, but his pass to Kylian Mbappe was cut out.
35th min CHANCE WASTED: Mbappe burned past the Uruguay defence. Griezmann probably could have tried harder to make it into the penalty area for his teenage compatriot’s low centre.
40th min ASSIST: Griezmann expertly broke his run up for a set-piece on the left of Uruguay’s box. This allowed Varane to critically get the run on the Uruguay defence.
61st min GOAL: Griezmann tried his luck from 25 yards from goal and gained reward. His shot moved in the air, but shouldn’t have been venomous enough to fall through Muslera’s flapping fingertips.
The usually reliable Fernando Muslera committed a howler for Griezmann’s goal.
VERDICT
Griezmann’s experience in Russia had been a slow burner. On Friday evening, he caught fire.
He became the first France player since the great Patrick Vieira in 2006 to both score and assist a goal in a knockout game at a World Cup. It’s now also 12 goals in his last 11 appearances at the World Cup and European Championship.
Every victorious nation has a talisman. Les Bleus had Zinedine Zidane in 1998, could Griezmann make history repeat itself two decades later?
RATING: 8/10
All statistics are compiled using whoscored.com
