France 2 Netherlands 1France striker Olivier Giroud ended his 10-match goalless run with the winner as the world champions’ return to Paris for the first time since their summer success in Russia ended in a 2-1 victory over Holland. Ryan Babel looked to have spoiled the homecoming party in the capital with his first competitive international goal in 13 years to cancel out Kylian Mbappe’s opener in the Nations League clash. However, with 15 minutes remaining, Chelsea forward Giroud scored the 32nd goal of international career, taking him past Zinedine Zidane with only Thierry Henry, Michel Platini and David Trezeguet ahead of him on France’s all-time list. It also gave Didier Deschamps’ side the advantage in Group One of League A, following their goalless draw in Germany earlier in the week. Incredibly it was the former Liverpool winger’s first competitive international goal March 2005.

Source: The Irish Times September 09, 2018 21:11 UTC