World Cup

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Attendance: 41,279

World Cup | Group Stage

Jun 16, 2018 at 11am UK

France
2-1
Australia Australia

Griezmann (58' pen.), Behich (80' og.)

FT(HT: 0-0)

Jedinak (62' pen.)

Didier Deschamps: Antoine Griezmann "has freed his mind"

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 15 June 2018

France boss Didier Deschamps believes that a huge weight has been lifted off Antoine Griezmann's shoulders after making an announcement about his Atletico Madrid future.

Didier Deschamps has admitted that he is pleased striker Antoine Griezmann has resolved his club future before France's opening World Cup fixture.

Griezmann revealed in a TV documentary on Thursday evening that he will remain at Atletico Madrid, despite strong interest from Spanish rivals Barcelona.

The 27-year-old is considered France's main man at Russia this summer, having top scored at the European Championship on home soil two years ago, and Deschamps is glad that the long-running transfer saga is now over.

"Two things that come to mind are his loyalty and commitment to Atletico, and most importantly he has freed his mind for the World Cup, and it's certainly a very good thing for us," he told reporters, before joking about the manner of Griezmann's announcement.

"I've already spoken on the matter. Some people think it's more important how he announced it rather than what the content was. I just think it's important he showed his loyalty and free himself. It was nothing to do with me. I have enough to look after... I was the one filming!"

France begin their World Cup campaign with a clash against Australia in Kazin on Saturday morning.