By Daily Sports on September 8, 2021

Antoine Griezmann’s double gave France a 2-0 victory over Finland in their 2022 World Cup qualifier on Tuesday and ended a run of five games without a win for the World Cup holders.

The 30-year-old Atletico Madrid striker’s brace took him level with Michel Platini on 41 goals for his country 10 behind all-time leader Thierry Henry and five short of Olivier Giroud.

Victory will go some way to putting to bed the lingering memories of France’s traumatic loss on penalties to Switzerland in the last 16 at this summer’s Euro 2020

The three points saw France extend their lead at the top of the table to seven points over the Finns, who have two games in hand.

France piled on the pressure in the opening 10 minutes and forced a couple of corners whilst debutant Theo Hernandez went close with a shot from outside the area.

Although there was plenty of attacking intent from the hosts – Karim Benzema partnering Anthony Martial up front with Griezmann tucked in behind them – the French were alarmingly erratic in the early stages.

Paul Pogba had Didier Deschamps out of his seat in the 14th minute in disbelief as the Manchester United midfielder fired a pass from the halfway line aimlessly over the Finnish byline without a French player anywhere near it.

The French defence also looked at sixes and sevens every time the Finns attacked in the first half.

Benzema forced the first save of the encounter in the 22nd minute, his fierce shot being turned over for a corner by Finnish stopper Lukas Hradecky after a neat 1-2 with Griezmann, who moved back to Atletico on loan from Barcelona in the summer transfer window. (Goal)

•PHOTO: Antoine Griezmann 

Source Daily Sports

Posted September 8, 2021

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