The reigning World Cup champions were always expected to trounce little Moldova to open Euro 2020 qualifying on Friday. But the class and beauty on display in France’s first goal was another stunning reminder of the quality of the best team in the world.
France was marvelous in its run to the World Cup title last summer and pretty much the entire roster was back for the start of Euro 2020 qualifying this week. Chief among those were Antoine Griezmann and Paul Pogba, who combined for the opener against Moldova on Friday.
Griezmann and Pogba showed a telepathic understanding when the former played a pass to the latter. Pogba approached the ball as if he’d lash a long shot at goal, only to instead deftly chip a pass perfectly into the path of Griezmann to volley home in a brilliantly worked one-two combination.
What an assist by Paul Pogba!
[US & CAR only] pic.twitter.com/z2kRGLzdFZ— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) March 22, 2019
The Griezmann goal vs Moldova in the 24th minute opened the floodgates for Les Bleus. Griezmann assisted on France’s second, a corner kick he swung in off the head of Raphael Varane three minutes later. By the 36th minute, it was 3-0 thanks to this karate-kick goal from Olivier Giroud.
The goal was Giroud’s 34th for France, pulling him even with David Trezeguet for most all time. Giroud now only trails Thierry Henry (51) and Michel Platini (41).
- @_OlivierGiroud_ ties David Trezeguet on 34 goals to become @FrenchTeam's joint-third all-time goalscorer https://t.co/qYsf1ChJTr
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) March 22, 2019
The Griezmann goal vs Moldova also propelled him into the Top 10 on France’s all-time list with 27 goals, even with Karim Benzema, who hasn’t played for Les Bleus since 2015.
France led 3-0 at halftime.
The18 Recommends For You
