France-Ukraine (1-1): Griezmann, a flash in the night

Between "Grizou" and the France team, it's a story that works.

Often successful in the selection, the 30-year-old striker once again justified his status as a must-have this Wednesday against Ukraine (1-1).

But he did not manage to offer the victory to the Blues.

Aligned to his preferred position, in support of Olivier Giroud, the Masonnais signed a sumptuous goal with a limpid strike from the left near the surface, which came to be housed in the skylight of the cage guarded by Georgiy Bushchan (0-1 , 18th).

This achievement would surely not have been validated with the intervention of the VAR because of an obvious offside by Benjamin Pavard.

But the video assistance is not used by UEFA for the World Cup qualifiers for logistical reasons.

. @ AntoGriezmann equals David Trezeguet with 34 goals!

4th top scorer in the history of the Blues behind Thierry Henry, Olivier Giroud and Michel Platini #FiersdetreBleus pic.twitter.com/ECN8xdGifd

- French team ⭐⭐ (@equipedefrance) March 24, 2021

It was the night of records for Antoine Griezmann.

With this goal, which should have put the Blues on track, the former Atlético Madrid player joined David Trezeguet in the ranking of the top scorers in the history of the France team.

He now has 34 achievements and is placed behind Thierry Henry, Olivier Giroud and Michel Platini.

It is not at all.

Against the Ukrainians, Griezmann played his 44th consecutive match with the French national team, a record since the post-war period.

No player since Patrick Vieira, between October 1999 and October 2002, had achieved such a performance.

His match will still leave a bitter taste.

Like his teammates, Antoine Griezmann lacked going back from the locker room.

Shaken by the Ukrainian equalizer, on a goal against his camp from the unfortunate Presnel Kimpembe (1-1, 57th), the men at “DD” never knew how to react.

They have also had very little success in worrying the opposing goalkeeper during the last 45 minutes.

Thus, Griezmann, who was thought to be launched after a first act of high aerobatics, gradually died out.

Minute after minute.

Pass after pass.

He never managed to pick up the thread of a match that had started so well.

Such a shame, there was so much room to take shelter much earlier.

Irremovable

Unlike Kylian Mbappé, Olivier Giroud and Kingsley Coman, Antoine Griezmann was still the only French striker to stay on the pitch until the end of the meeting on Wednesday night.

Proof of the unwavering confidence of coach Didier Deschamps.

At the same time, he was undoubtedly the most leggy of the offensive quartet.

But precisely, Wednesday evening, the number 7 of the Blues was too lonely.

Not quite in the same tempo as the others.

Infuriating.