France’s successful World Cup start in Qatar thanks to Olivier Giroud

With his brace at the start of the World Cup, Olivier Giroud caught up with France’s record scorer Thierry Henry – and almost forgot about the loss of world footballer Karim Benzema.

Perhaps Olivier Giroud would have played alongside Karim Benzema in the French striker, but perhaps the veteran star should have been left to stew on the bench. If, yes, if Benzema hadn’t had to pass injured shortly before the start of the tournament. The AC Milan striker was one of the starting eleven in the 4-1 win against Australia. And he put the “blue” on course with a performance that was remarkable in many respects.

From Giroud to Mbappé – Deschamps revels in offensive luxury

The 36-year-old was able to shine with two goals because a quartet of exceptional talents obviously shed all stubbornness and agreed on football as a total work of art in the offensive of the world champion. Even if the Australians couldn’t be the big touchstone at the start – it was impressive how somnambulant security Kylian Mbappé, Antoine Griezmann, Ousmane Dembélé and Giroud combined and left the limelight to the better placed. And what a luxury for France’s coach Didier Deschamps, who has five prominent failures to complain about in Qatar.

France’s World Cup start: “There’s still room for improvement”

Giroud first made it 2-1 with his weaker right foot, then 4-1 with a header. But his by far most spectacular action was denied the crowning glory.

In the 50th minute he was horizontally in the air when Theo crossed and tried to throw a side kick. The ball went just wide of the left post. “There’s still room for improvement”he judged on France’s successful start to the World Cup.

The scene was just a small sample of the veteran’s footballing portfolio. It’s always impressive what technical skills the centre-forward has. A rarity at a height of 1.93 meters.

First choice latecomer at Deschamps

Giroud is a latecomer. At the age of 25 he was nominated for the Équipe Tricolore by the then national coach Laurent Blanc for the first time. He scored the first of his 51 international goals in February 2012 in the 2-1 victory against Germany in Bremen.

Under Deschamps he was the first choice for a long time in recent years. Especially after Benzema was suspended following charges of complicity in an attempted blackmail by his national team-mate Mathieu Valbuena.

Benzema mocks Giroud as a ‘go-kart’

As a result, Benzema occasionally taunted his competitor. What many appreciate about Giroud, namely that he plays for the team, Benzema did as work “in the coal cellar” ridiculous. Two years ago he wrote on Instagram that a comparison between him and Giroud was like being “Formula 1 with a go-kart” compare

After his pardon at “Les Bleus”, Benzema actually overtook Giroud at high speed, for whom only two short appearances were recorded at the 2021 European Championship. After that, Deschamps did without Giroud for months. He was only nominated again in March of this year.

Giroud level with Henry

And suddenly the go-kart has to win the race without the Formula 1 car. Despite Benzema’s mockery: Giroud was there when he was needed. Even drew level with France’s record shooter Thierry Henry with his brace. Giroud even needed eight games less than the 1998 world champions to score 51 goals.

“I’m proud to draw level with ‘Titi'”Giroud wrote late Tuesday evening (November 22, 2022) on Instagram about a photo that shows him kneeling with his eyes closed and his index fingers stretched up in front of a huge “51”.

Oldest World Cup player and oldest goalscorer in France

France’s offensive trump card has achieved two other marks with his brace against Australia: At 36 years and 53 days, he became his country’s oldest World Cup player and World Cup goalscorer. He is also now the second oldest double goalscorer at a World Cup after legendary Cameroonian Roger Milla in 1990 (38 years 34 days). continuation possible.