Antoine Griezmann hits back at Thibaut Courtois and Eden Hazard after World Cup semi-final criticism

ByThe Editorial Team

Updated 13/07/2018 at 13:08 GMT

Antoine Griezmann has hit out at Thibaut Courtois and Eden Hazard after the Belgian criticised France's style of play during their World Cup semi-final.

France confirmed their place in the 2018 World Cup final with a narrow 1-0 win over Belgium on Tuesday. Defender Samuel Umtiti scored the game's only goal, despite Belgium having the lion's share of possession.

Roberto Martinez's side looked comfortable on the ball despite being on the verge of a first final in the nation's history, but it was the favourites who scraped through and will now contest look to be crowned world champions for the second time.

Romelu Lukaku, Leander Dendoncker, Eden Hazard and Thibaut Courtois are consoled after their World Cup semi-final defeat.

Image credit: Getty Images

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But after the last-four encounter, both Courtois and his Chelsea team-mate Eden Hazard shared their feelings towards their conquerors.

"It's just an anti-football team. Their striker plays 30 metres from his own goal. France heads a corner and does nothing more than defend," Courtois said.

"I would have preferred to have lost in the quarter-finals to Brazil, at least that was a team that wanted to play football."

And Hazard added: "I prefer to lose with this Belgium than win with that France."

Antoine Griezmann, Eden Hazard

Image credit: Getty Images

However, Griezmann has since said his only goal is to win the World Cup and doesn't care how. The Atletico Madrid forward also mocked the style of football played by the Belgian football at Chelsea.

"Does Thibaut Courtois think he plays Barcelona football at Chelsea? I don't care how, I want a second star to be on this shirt. That is all," said the Frenchman.

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