‘If we played that game 10 times, we’d win it nine’ Olivier Giroud recalls the most painful defeat of his entire career, and why it made him the player he became

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There is no greater prize on offer to a footballer than the World Cup. Ask anyone who has lifted the iconic trophy and they’ll tell you it was the culmination of a life’s work and sacrifice.

Yet the joy of winning it can still evoke tragic memories for some. Just ask Olivier Giroud, who starred for France at the 2018 World Cup, lifting the tournament after defeating Croatia in the final.

While the 39 year old admits it was the greatest moment of his career, he acknowledges that it might not have been possible without a crushing defeat two years earlier.

Olivier Giroud on heartbreak at Euro 2016

Eder celebrates his clincher against France in the Euro 2016 Final (Image credit: Alamy)

Giroud was part of the France squad that reached the final of Euro 2016 on home soil, only to lose to underdogs Portugal in extra-time.

During a one-sided match, France had 18 shots to Portugal’s nine, dominating possession and putting the visitors under constant threat.

The fact that Portugal talisman Cristiano Ronaldo was forced off through injury in the 25th minute only added to the widespread belief that France would win the game.

Yet a late winner from Eder stunned football fans all over the world. For Giroud, playing in his first final for France, the result was devastating.

“As a team, this defeat hurt,” he tells FourFourTwo as part of an exclusive chat. “People might find it crazy for me to include a game like this on my list of most influential matches but it changed my perception of things. It made me hungrier than ever to seize success.

“The game itself was crazy,” continues the striker, who is still playing professionally for Lille in his homeland. “If we played it 10 times, we’d win it nine times. But that’s football and the beauty of the game.

“I was crying at the end of this game because it was my first major final with the national team and that hurt, but I also knew it was the last chance some of my friends and team-mates would have to win a tournament. People like Andre-Pierre Gignac. I could see how emotional they were.”

Olivier Giroud (Image credit: Getty Images)

Giroud was key as France stormed to victory in Russia at the World Cup two years later, and believes the latter may not have been possible without the lessons learned two years earlier.

“From my experience, you build your career and your success in the tough moments that came before,” he reflects. “I’ve been through some very tough times and I always use them to bounce back.”

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