Giroud

France manager Didier Deschamps' decision to take off Olivier Giroud in the first half of the World Cup final has come under scrutiny.

The striker and Dembele was substituted for Kolo Muani and Marcus Thuram in a pair of rare first half changes. Giroud was less than impressed by the decision, trudging off the field and slamming a water bottle down in anger. But it was a different story for France, who struggled in attack — becoming the first side ever to not attempt a shot in the first half of a World Cup.

Giroud was known to be suffering with a knee injury before the game and Dembele looked way off his best in the opening 40 minutes of the final against ...

[Kylian Mbappe has since forced his side back into the game](/sport/formulaone/article-11551575/Kylian-Mbappe-scores-BLISTERING-late-double-95-SECONDS.html) with two late goals to set up a tense finish. Olivier Giroud threw his water bottle in disgust after being subbed off in the World Cup final Olivier Giroud threw his water bottle in disgust in a show of frustration after he was hooked off before half-time during the World Cup final. - Olivier Giroud threw his bottle in disgust after being subbed off before the break Giroud was known to be suffering with a knee injury before the game and Dembele looked way off his best in the opening 40 minutes. Furious France striker Olivier Giroud throws his water bottle and shirt to the floor in a tantrum, having been substituted BEFORE half-time along with Ousmane Dembele after a disastrous World Cup final first half