FIFA World Cup 2018: Griezmann did not celebrate goal out of respect for Uruguay

Antoine Griezmann (left) with Kylian Mbappe after France's second goal v Uruguay on Friday

Antoine Griezmann said he did not celebrate his goal against Uruguay in the World Cup quarter-final on Friday out of "respect" for the South American nation. Griezmann scored France's second goal in the 2-0 win in the 61st minute, when his long-range strike found its way into the net after a mistake from Uruguay's goalkeeper Fernando Muslera.

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 semi-final in 12 years. "I didn't celebrate that goal 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 teammates when they qualified for Russia.

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