Germany versus France was deemed the final by many involved in the football world, and despite Germany dominating substantial parts of the game, it was France’s golden boy that was able to come up with two golden goals.
Scoring from the spot thanks to a Bastian Schweinsteiger handball and tapping in Manuel Neuer’s clearance, Antoine Griezmann has become the first player to score six goals at a Euros tournament for 32 years. Goals also against Albania, Republic of Ireland and Iceland alongside the damage he did in the semi-final against the German’s have helped him gain that accolade.
He is also a bit of a lucky charm for the French. When Griezmann scores, France have won eight, drawn two and lost none.
It is also not just his goal-scoring ability that is proving to be a handful for his opponents. His creative spark has seen him contribute two assists alongside his 6 goals.
Every nation requires a hero at major tournaments and Griezmann has very much been that for the French.
He has been nothing but sensational. There are many attributes that make a great player, and Griezmann seems to have them all. To be fair, it should come as no surprise to us that he is having the tournament he is. His Atletico Madrid form over the years has seen him rise to one of the most valuable footballers in the market.
Playing in a central midfield role just off the striker Olivier Giroud, Griezmann has pace, intuition, power, strength and what makes the difference in most games, end product. He comes across with a light physique and many would consider him a luxury player, but his ability to press and get stuck in has been most impressive.
He is leading the goal scoring of this tournament not just because he is a good footballer, but also because he is an intelligent and hardworking footballer. He simply understands his role and what is required. Constantly he is in the right position to score and more times than not, that is exactly what he does.
What does help Griezmann’s case is the players around him. Certainly not taking anything away from this great talent, but there is no questioning the quality around him helps him play the game he does. If his form so far is anything to go by, then the Portuguese have much to consider before the final on Sunday.
Can the Portuguese keep this man quiet though? Time will certainly tell and they’ve done ever so well to reach the final with only winning one match in ninety minutes throughout the tournament. But, it is difficult seeing a team that perhaps could consider themselves lucky to be at the final keeping such a talent quiet when they have other quality French players to worry about as well.
It is almost the battle of Cristiano Ronaldo versus Griezmann come the final. You do get the feeling that either one of these players could settle this game.
What gives Griezmann the advantage is not only the quality around him, but also his form in general.
Ronaldo has struggled ever so slightly throughout this tournament from what looks like nothing more than just trying too hard. Griezmann seems to be playing with this calmness and control that has allowed him to be one of the players of the tournament.
He deserves the compliment of being the ‘difference’ for this French team so far and he can very much secure that by guiding his team to victory come Sunday.
“There’s still one match to go to finish with a flourish; it’s going to be very tricky but I hope this won’t be the end of things,” Griezmann said.
“It’s our duty to win matches for the French public, and let’s hope we can finish on a high too.”
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