UEFA Nations League

OLIVIER GIROUD fired himself into the shop window with another double for France.
And his goals against Sweden last night mean he is now just seven goals behind Thierry Henry’s record tally.

Olivier Giroud proved his class once again on the international stage with a double against SwedenCredit: Reuters

Giroud scored a diving header from Kylian Mbappe’s cross to move on to 44 France goalsCredit: AFP or licensors

French boss Didier Deschamps warned last week Giroud will need to be playing regular club football or is at risk of losing his place in the national team squad ahead of the rearranged Euros.
Deschamps said: “The situation he has at his club, knowing that he has a large frame and that he needs rhythm, it’s hard.
“That’s not why I want to lose him, it’s complicated, we’ll talk. But obviously he has every interest in it not lasting and for him to remain competitive – we must not forget what he did with us and what he is still able to do.”
With just 33 minutes of Premier League action for Chelsea so far this season, those comments sparked transfer exit rumours.

He came close to joining Tottenham in January but stayed put at Stamford Bridge before Timo Werner’s arrival pushed him further down the pecking order as Inter Milan consider a swoop.
But Giroud, 34, let his football do the talking and proved he still has plenty to offer by slamming in a pair in the Nations League clash.
After Viktor Claesson’s deflected strike had given the visitors a shock fourth-minute lead at the Stade de France, the veteran forward got his country level 12 minutes later, turning in Marcus Thuram’s cross.
Benjamin Pavard’s goal ensured France led at the break before Giroud squandered a glorious chance to make it three by heading wide.

He did not have to wait long to get his second, though, as he met Kylian Mbappe’s ball in with a spectacular diving header on the hour mark.
That moved the ex-Arsenal man on to 44 international goals on his 105th cap – almost an identical strike rate to Henry who managed 51 in 123 for Les Bleus.
And it also ensured Giroud will finish the calendar year as France’s top scorer for the fifth time in the last six years – only being pipped in the World Cup-winning 2018.
Robin Quaison pulled one back for Sweden in the 88th minute but Kingsley Coman wrapped up the scoring on the counter deep into injury time when Sweden sent everyone forward for a corner, including the goalkeeper.
Deschamps’ side had already pipped reigning champions Portugal to the top of League A Group 3.
Spain also booked their place in the Nations League semi-finals with a 6-0 thrashing of Germany.
Belgium and Denmark face off tonight to finish top of Group 2 while Italy know victory in Bosnia will secure their spot – but defeat for the Azzurri would open the way for Netherlands or Poland to overtake them.
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Giroud has featured for just 33 minutes in the Premier League this season after dropping down the Chelsea pecking orderCredit: Reuters

Henry managed 51 international goals for Les Bleus in 123 capsCredit: Reuters

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ARSENAL outcast Mesut Ozil took a swipe at the German national team after their 6-0 Nations League thrashing by Spain last night.
The former Germany international called for Bayern Munich star Jerome Boateng to be recalled after he was snubbed by boss Joachim Low in 2019.

Mesut Ozil has called for Jerome Boateng to be recalled to the German team after they were thrashed 6-0 by SpainCredit: Reuters

The Bayern Munich centre-back was permanently dropped from the international setup in 2019Credit: EPA

Ozil quit the German national team in 2018 accusing their football federation (DFB) of racism.
And a year later, Low confirmed he would no longer be picking Boateng, 32, or his Bayern team-mate Thomas Muller, 31, so he could introduce younger players into the squad.
Low, 60, doubled down on that decision in August saying he has no plans to reintroduce the pair despite their heroics as Bayern scooped a Champions League and Bundesliga double last season.
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But having suffered their heaviest competitive defeat in history in Seville yesterday, Ozil, has called on the long serving Germany boss to revisit his decision and bring centre-back Boateng back in.
He tweeted: “Time to take @JeromeBoateng back #ESPGER @DFB_Team.”
The post received more than 36,000 likes and 3,500 comments.
However, his words are unlikely to sway under-fire Low – who has been in charge of the Germans since 2006.

Speaking about Muller and Boateng’s long-term exclusion in August, Low said: “Both players had very good performances and they showed how important they are for this team [Bayern].

“However, after the [2018] World Cup, we decided to go with other players.
“We want them to have space and time to develop.”
Arsenal star Ozil thinks he was hung out to dry by the DFB after meeting controversial Turkey president Recep Erdogan before the 2018 World Cup.
Ozil has Turkish heritage and was accused of endorsing Erdogan’s bid for re-election – but insists they only spoke about football.
The World Cup winner was booed in Germany’s warm-up games and flopped as the defending champions tumbled out of the group stage.
In a lengthy three-part message posted on social media, Ozil said: “It is with a heavy heart and after much consideration that because of recent events, I will no longer be playing for Germany at international level while I have this feeling of racism and disrespect.
“I used to wear the German shirt with such pride and excitement, but now I don’t.
“When high-ranking DFB officials treat me as they did, disrespect my Turkish roots and selfishly turn me into political propaganda, then enough is enough.”

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