With a spectacular double against Ukraine, Olivier Giroud edges closer to France’s all-time top scorer with his 42 scored goals.
Somewhere along the way, people decided Olivier Giroud wasn’t one of France’s all-time best players despite his undisputed quality. From the first moment he started playing professionally, the Chelsea star had to play against the odds.
But if we are dead honest, Olivier Giroud is arguably the best centre-forward in France’s history since Thierry Henry. He’s been doing it quietly until today, Oli just surpassed Michel Platini as Les Bleus’ second all-time’s top scorer with 42. Only Thierry Henry remains at the top with 52 goals scored with the national team.
The two goals Giroud scored tonight against Ukraine were obviously going to happen during an already historic evening. Eduardo Camavinga kicked off the celebrations with his own personal record via an early bicycle kick goal. But Giroud knew this was a special evening for him, he had all the ingredients to make history for his country.
Giroud’s 100th cap as a skipper.
Didier Deschamps knew it was a perfect night for Olivier Giroud to make history. The manager decided to grant him the captain’s armband on his 100th cap with France. Right after Camavinga’s historic opener, Giroud released the Kraken from outside the box.
A total screamer that reached Michel Platini’s 41 goals in the all-time table. But the captain wasn’t happy with this result yet, he scored his double through a header just 10 minutes later. And just like that, Giroud has quietly crept into the second spot behind Thierry Henry.
This evening is extremely revealing about how underrated the French striker truly is. No player with his stats and success deserves being treated as a replacement. Frank Lampard should start respecting Olivier Giroud in the way he deserves. As expected, France defeated Ukraine before their two Nations League matches against Portugal and Croatia.
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