Olivier Giroud Out to Break Record
Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud moved closer to Thierry Henry’s goal-scoring record as he scored two to ensure France came from behind to beat Sweden. Olivier Giroud scored the in both halves of the game as his international goals tally moved to 44. He is now seven goals behind the Thierry Henry.
A deflected Viktor Claesson shot put Sweden ahead but Olivier Giroud was there to help France come back to the game. Robin Quaison’s goal gave Sweden some hope but Kingsley Coman sealed the win in the last minute of the game.
Sweden will now drop into League B. World Cup champions France had already qualified for one of the four Nations League finals berths next year but went behind when Claesson’s long-range strike went in off Raphael Varane.
Olivier Giroud soon equalised, turning in a cross from Marcus Thuram, the son of 1998 World Cup-winner Lilian. Thuram, who was making his first competitive start, then weaved into the area and found Pavard, who fired in.
Giroud scored the third after the break from Kylian Mbappe’s cross. The Paris St-Germain striker gave the assist 70 seconds after coming into the game. Quaison set up an exciting finale when he tapped in but as Sweden pushed everyone – including Everton goalkeeper Robin Olsen – up for a set-piece deep into stoppage-time, France were able to clear and leave Coman to score into an empty net.
