PARIS • As a striker, Olivier Giroud has always been a polarising figure with his profligacy in front of goal.
However, his unselfish play and hold-up ability have always been treasured at both club and international levels.
While his value has fallen at Chelsea, having started only six Premier League games this season, he remains one of the first names on Didier Deschamps' team sheet.
On Monday, he showed why the France coach continues to keep faith in him as he "brings something different to the other two strikers".
Giroud put his club frustrations behind him after his second goal in his second competitive game saw him reach an international milestone, cementing his place among his country's greats.
France hammered Iceland 4-0 at the Stade de France, with forwards Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann and defender Samuel Umtiti also among the scorers. The world champions stayed top of Group H in the Euro 2020 qualifiers, ahead of Turkey on goal difference.
But it was Giroud who earned all the plaudits after notching his 35th goal from 89 international caps to move to third place on the list of France's all-time top scorers, one goal ahead of David Trezeguet.
Only Thierry Henry (51) and Michel Platini (41) have scored more than the 32-year-old, something Deschamps feels "must be a source of great pride for him".
He said: "He arrived with us having not played a lot with his club, even if he has been super efficient in the Europa League (he has nine goals in as many games this term).
"With us, he scored twice in two games. He remains effective and he is playing according to his style."
His opposite number Erik Hamren agreed, claiming Giroud "was a really important player for them the way they play".
The Iceland coach said: "You could see that today, how they use him, he's a really good player for France the way they use him."
And Giroud, whose Blues' contract expires in the summer, has no plans to relinquish his position as France's target man, even as rumours swirl around his possible return to Ligue 1 with Lyon.
Telling website Tribal Football he had an eye on overtaking Platini's mark, he said: "Yes it's (an) objective. I always said that the important thing for me was the collective. But it is true that, personally, I hope to beat this record."
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, REUTERS
Olivier Giroud has Michel Platini in his sights after moving third among France's all-time top scorers with his 35th international goal in the victory over Iceland. The World Cup holders made it two wins from two in their Euro 2020 qualifying group by cruising to a 4-0 success over Iceland at the Stade de France on Monday, Giroud scoring France's second goal 22 minutes from time.
Olivier Giroud overtakes Zidane in France's all time highest
2019.04.13.- Fedezd fel Molnar Nora Giroud nevű tábláját a Pinteresten. További ötletek a következővel kapcsolatban: Arsenal football, Football players és Soccer.
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Arsenal star Olivier Giroud angry with constant criticism from France fans and says it is getting 'tedious' The Gunners forward has come under fire from France fans once again but Giroud is
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He has wasted little time in becoming one of his country's key figures and played a vital role in their triumph in Russia last year, scoring his fourth of the tournament in the final against Croatia. And Mbappe marked his record-breaking appearance with the assist for Samuel Umtiti's opening goal at Stade de France on Monday. March 25, 2019
SBOBET Blog Features: Giroud, Balotelli, and Cavaliers and
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Olivier Giroud is cementing his status as France's best scorer one goal at a time. The Chelsea man scored in Les Bleus' 2-0 win over the Republic of Ireland to become the nation's fourth highest scorer of all time. Giroud netted the opener for France, scoring off a rebound after his header was blocked by Republic of Ireland keeper Colin
After scoring his 35th goal for France against Iceland, Olivier Giroud wants to surpass Michel Platini's total of 41. Olivier Giroud has Michel Platini in his sights after moving third among
Giroud targets passing Platini's France goal haul - Sportstar
He is part of a breed of striker who are seriously underrated in the modern game, Giroud, Mandzukic, Dzeko are all underrated. Only Lewandowski is that type of striker who gets the recognition he deserves, but Giroud is a class act with a great goal/game ratio, he takes a lot stick that is undeserved.
A(z) Giroud nevű tábla 495 legjobb képe 2019-ben | Arsenal
It was the Chelsea forward's 35th goal for his country, a strike that took him past David Trezeguet's eventual total, with only Michel Platini and all-time record scorer Thierry Henry having scored more for Les Bleus. Henry's haul of 51 may prove beyond 32-year-old Giroud but he conceded overtaking Platini is a target. "It's a goal.
Giroud has eyes on Platini after scoring 35th goal - BeSoccer
Giroud put his club frustrations behind him after his second goal in his second competitive game saw him reach an international milestone, cementing his place among his country's greats. France hammered Iceland 4-0 at the Stade de France, with forwards Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann and defender Samuel Umtiti also among the scorers.
Giroud targets passing Platini's haul after 35th France goal
France's Olivier Giroud celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Euro 2016 Group A soccer match between France and Romania, at the Stade de France, in Saint-Denis, north of Paris
Mbappe gets 30 caps in record time - BeSoccer
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