Griezmann Hits Back At Critics After France Advances To Euro 2024 Quarters

Antoine Griezmann responded to media criticism after France advanced to the Euro 2024 quarter-finals with a 1-0 win over Belgium. Jan Vertonghen's own goal in the 85th minute secured the victory, marking the second time an own goal had given France a win in this tournament.

Griezmann was displeased with suggestions that the scoreline was too narrow or that he had compromised by playing on the right wing. "Don't p*** us off about a small score or something, we're in the quarters," Griezmann told BeIN Sports. "Big game defensively for the team. Without a great defence, you can't go far."

Griezmann emphasised the importance of defence in their success. "It was another new system for us, we have to get used to it. I learned [about my position on the right] this morning. I'm at the service of the coach and the team. The coach told me to play here, I play here," he added.

Kylian Mbappe remains the only French player to score at Euro 2024, having netted from a penalty against Poland. This means France is still waiting for an open-play goal in this tournament.

Griezmann also highlighted his commitment to playing wherever needed. "No matter where I play, I'm going to give my all. [Didier Deschamps] knows where I like to play, but I'm always going to give everything for the team," he said. "This coach has confidence in me and I try to give it back to him."

Meanwhile, Adrien Rabiot expressed his disappointment over receiving a yellow card in the first half, which will see him miss the quarter-finals due to it being his second booking of the tournament.

Rabiot's Frustration and Team Confidence

"It's a real relief with this goal," Rabiot told RMC. "We played a good match; we were solid. We have this ability not to concede a goal and be very good at recovery." He added that despite his frustration with refereeing decisions, he trusts his teammates on the bench.

"We know that it will only take one to put it in the net," Rabiot continued. "It was the perfect match because with this goal at the end of the match, we broke their legs."

France has benefited from five own goals at Euros, more than any other team. They also lead in opponents' own goals at World Cups with six.

5 - France have benefited from their fifth own goal at the EURO, more than any other team.

Les Bleus are also the team whose opponents have scored the most such goals at the World Cup (6).

Luck.#FRABEL pic.twitter.com/lYpg8SCWmD

— OptaJean (@OptaJean) July 1, 2024

The French team's defensive solidity has been crucial in their progress so far. Despite some criticisms and challenges, they remain focused on their ultimate goal.