France into final four

Nizhny Novgorod

Antoine Griezmann said he did not celebrate his goal against Uruguay in the World Cup quarterfinal yesterday out of “respect” for South Americans.

Griezmann scored France’s second goal in the 2-0 win in the 61st minute, when his longrange strike found its way into the net after a mistake from Uruguay’s goalkeeper Fernando Muslera. Raphael Varane, above, opened the scoring for France shortly before half-time.

Instead of celebrating, Griezmann stood still as French players rushed to him, despite scoring the goal that helped secure his country’s first World Cup semifinal in 12 years.

“I didn’t celebrate because when I started as a professional footballer I was supported by a Uruguayan, who showed me the good and the bad of football,” he said. “Out of respect, I thought it was not appropriate to celebrate that goal.”

In the run-up to the match, Griezmann had spoken about his affinity with Uruguay and his friendship with two Uruguayan players, Jose Gimenez and Diego Godin.

Griezmann plays his club football with Gimenez and Godin at Atletico Madrid and even turned up at the airport wearing a Uruguay shirt to greet his team-mates when they qualified for Russia.

Before yesterday’s match, Griezmann turned up at the stadium drinking mate tea, a popular drink in Uruguay.

Not celebrating a goal against a former club has become standard in domestic football, but Griezmann may have been the first at international level.

Uruguayans were gracious in defeat after their hopes ended.

“France crushed Uruguay!” admitted Observador, one of Uruguay’s main newspapers.

“They handed out a football lesson, dominating the light blues from the first minute to the 90th, and deservedly qualified for the semifinals.”

El Pais insisted the players were nonetheless heroes. “Thanks lads!” said its title, “The dream is over.” –

Also see Pages 38 to 41