If we played that game 10 times, we'd win it nine' Olivier Giroud recalls the most painful defeat of his entire career, and why it made him the player he became

"Winning the World Cup was the greatest moment of my career, but it might not have been possible without the crushing defeat in Euro 2016. That loss made me hungrier than ever to seize success."

"In the Euro 2016 final, we had 18 shots to Portugal's nine and dominated possession. The belief was strong that we would win, especially after Cristiano Ronaldo was injured early in the match."

"I was crying at the end of the Euro 2016 game because it was my first major final with the national team. It hurt deeply, but I also knew it was the last chance for some of my friends and teammates."

Olivier Giroud reflects on his career, highlighting the significance of winning the World Cup in 2018 after experiencing a devastating loss in the Euro 2016 final. France dominated the Euro 2016 match against Portugal but lost due to a late goal from Eder. This defeat profoundly impacted Giroud, making him more determined to succeed. He acknowledges the emotional weight of that loss, especially as it was his first major final with the national team, and emphasizes the unpredictable nature of football.

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