As hosts France walloped Bulgaria 4-1 in their World Cup qualifier match on Friday, all eyes were on one player – Kevin Gameiro. Prior to the match, the Atletico Madrid forward had not played for his country since November 2011 when they faced the USA.
To put the matter into perspective, Gameiro had not played for Les Blues for 1782 days. But as the famous saying goes, patience pays.
The Frenchman was eventually recalled to Didier Deschamps squad for their WCQ clash against The Lions, and he didn’t disappoint. He scored a brace and created a near-perfect combination with his teammate Antoine Griezmann, who also found the back of the net once in the match. But as the thousands of fans celebrated the impressive comeback of the 29-year-old hitman, his name was already trending on social media.
The man of the moment celebrates his first goal for France vs Bulgaria with teammate Griezmann
One particular victim of Gameiro’s impressive comeback to the national football team was Olivier Giroud. The Arsenal star has been struggling to find form with the Gunners this season, and was hoping to shine against the Bulgarians on Friday. But he was left out of the squad in a move that paved way for Gameiro’s resurgence. Considering the fact that Griezmann and Gameiro are also teammates at Atleti in Spain, Deschamps could rely on this duo to in the hunt for goals in the upcoming qualifiers.
Antoine Griezmann & Kevin Gameiro:
— Get French Football (@GFFN) October 7, 2016
476 mins playing together, either or both involved in 14 out of 20 goals scored by Atleti or France. (C+)
But will the rise of the Gameiro-Griezmann combination mark the end of Giroud’s career with the national team? Sadly, a majority of football fans think so. Here are some of the best reactions on social media:
Gameiro should have been paired with Griezmann during the Euros and not with Giroud. France might have won it.
— Johnny (@JoEbi21) October 7, 2016
Griezmann and Gameiro combining well together. I'm a supporter of Giroud but I'm liking this partnership. #FRABUL #Gammann
— Rich Allen (@rich_allen85) October 7, 2016
Kevin Gameiro: "With Griezmann, it is natural. I cannot explain it to you." (Eurosport)
— Get French Football (@GFFN) October 7, 2016
Superb from Griezmann in the build-up to Gameiro's latest. Delightful. #FRABUL
— Jonathan Johnson (@Jon_LeGossip) October 7, 2016
With a strike duo of #Gameiro and #Griezmann, neither tall by any means, it's remarkable #France have scored from two crosses! #FRABUL
— Robin Bairner (@RBairner) October 7, 2016
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