Euro 2016: Griezmann’s heroics can lead France to glory, says Alan Shearer
The former England striker has not been surprised with the red-hot form of France's livewire forward at the tournament
I TIPPED Antoine Griezmann to be the star of Euro 2016 even before a ball was kicked — and the France striker has not let me down so far.
Griezmann started off on the right-hand side of a three, but he has shone since Didier Deschamps started playing him as a No 10, a lot closer to Olivier Giroud.
He has scored goals at vital times, just as he did so well for Atletico Madrid last season. And with six strikes so far he has doubled the tally of anyone else in the tournament, including Cristiano Ronaldo.
Tonight’s Stade de France final is a re-run of the Champions League final shootout between the two La Liga stars when Ronaldo and Real Madrid faced Griezmann’s Atletico Madrid in the San Siro.
Ronaldo had the better of that first round a couple of months ago as Real won the trophy again on spot-kicks, while Griezmann missed a penalty for Atletico in normal time.
But the Frenchman now has the opportunity to get one back on the Portuguese — and he deserves to because he has been outstanding.
Griezmann is intelligent, he is cute, he links play. He is quick, he can dribble.
And for a small guy, he has scored a couple of great headers, which has been impressive.
Undoubtedly, he has been the player of the tournament and it goes without saying that he is one of the main reasons France are now just one win away from glory.
Before the tournament, I did also tip Deschamps’ men to go all the way.
I just felt that once they got on a bit of a run and gathered some momentum, then they would be tough to stop. Having been here for the World Cup in 1998, I knew what the reaction from the country would be.
I know how much that support helps, having played in Euro 96 when we had the whole nation behind us.
After France beat Germany in Thursday night’s semi-final, the atmosphere in Paris was incredible.
I couldn’t get to sleep because the whole of the street outside the hotel was just going bonkers all night.
It was a great carnival atmosphere, so God knows what it will be like if they win it tonight!
MY PREDICTION: France 3-1