Giroud overtakes Platini as France’s second highest goalscorer

Olivier Giroud became France’s second-highest goalscorer of all time – surpassing Michel Platini – in a friendly hammering of Ukraine.

The Chelsea forward scored a brace in the first half to take his tally to 42 on his 100th international appearance, nine adrift of Thierry Henry’s record.

Teenager Eduardo Camavinga, 17, netted the opener on his full debut to become France’s second-youngest scorer.

Corentin Tolisso, Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann all found the net.

Didier Deschamps’ side also benefited from Vitaliy Mykolenko’s own goal and although Viktor Tsygankov pulled a goal back for 4-1, the visitors were outclassed in Paris.

The thrashing marked the worst defeat in Ukraine’s history, with the side now managed by former AC Milan and Chelsea striker Andriy Shevchenko.

Giroud reacted on surpassing Platini on goals for France: “It’s a great honour. I’m very happy that it turned out that way.”

His take on chasing Henry’s record: “I think we have to set goals but it’s a bit early to tell. We’ll see when I get to 46 or 47.”


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