Striker Olivier Giroud finally silenced his doubters with two more goals as France beat Scotland 3-0 in their final warm-up for Euro 2016 on Saturday.
France host Romania at Stade de France in the Euro 2016 opener on Friday and Giroud looks certain to start after making it seven goals in the past seven games for France.
“Of course, it’s always good for your confidence,” Giroud said. “We created a lot of chances tonight and I tried to finish off the good work of my teammates.”
Photo: AFP
Giroud was jeered by his own fans when France beat Cameroon on Monday last week, despite scoring in a 3-2 win.
This time he was cheered off the field when replaced midway through the second half by Andre-Pierre Gignac, now his rival in attack in the absence of Karim Benzema.
“It’s good,” Giroud said. “We’re getting close to the Euros and it’s important for us to all work together toward the same objective.”
Photo: EPA
Centerback Laurent Koscielny got France’s other goal against a lackluster Scotland, who conceded all three in the first half.
Attacking midfielder Dimitri Payet, one of the best players in the English Premier League this season for West Ham United, was involved in two of the goals, strengthening his claim for a start.
The 25,000-capacity Stade Saint-Symphorien in Metz was sold out, with more than 1,000 Scotland fans loudly backing their team, but coach Gordon Strachan’s side offered them little to get excited about.
“We could have scored more in the second half, but it’s a good result just before the Euros,” said France coach Didier Deschamps, whose side have scored 13 goals in their past four games.
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