France seek solution to Griezmann puzzle at World Cup

Antoine Griezmann lit up Euro 2016 as France reached the final on home soil, but a series of stuttering performances at the World Cup have set alarm bells ringing ahead of a last-16 meeting with Argentina's Lionel Messi.

The Atletico Madrid striker looked far short of his best during the group stage, failing to complete a full 90 minutes in any of France's first three games.

Olivier Giroud suggested Griezmann was not at his physical peak after a long season in which he made a combined 60 appearances for club and country, culminating with victory in the Europa League final.

His teammates have rallied around him, led by Paul Pogba, a player subjected to his own fair share of criticism in recent months.

"Don't touch my Grizou," Pogba said with a smile last week. "You've forgotten the Euro."
"It was the same at the Euro. It wasn't until the last 16 that I hit my stride. So we'll see. I have confidence in my game."
- Silence the doubters -
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"In the second half I tried to be closer to the area so I touched the ball less often, but that's the way I wanted to play."