Didier Deschamps piled praise on Olivier Giroud after the veteran striker's international career ended in disappointment with defeat in the Euro 2024 semi-final.
France took the lead against Spain through Randal Kolo Muani on Tuesday, but a stunning strike from Lamine Yamal – who became the youngest goalscorer in World Cup or Euros history – got Spain back on level terms.
Dani Olmo then netted in a quickfire turnaround and Spain held on for victory in the second half to book a place in the final against either England or the Netherlands.
France struggled to live up to their tag as joint pre-tournament favourites with England, but still ground their way through to the last four, only to come unstuck in Munich.
Kylian Mbappe admitted after the match that both he and France failed at the Euros. Les Bleus lost a major tournament semi-final for the first time since Euro 1996, with the new Real Madrid forward wasting one good opportunity late on.
Mbappe ended the tournament with no non-penalty goals from 23 such shots. Since records began in 1980, only Deco in 2004 (24) has ever had more non-penalty shots without netting at a single edition of the European Championships.
And the goal from Kolo Muani, which was set up by Mbappe, meant France had finally scored their first non-penalty goal at Euro 2024 (excluding own goals), with their 87th shot from such situations.
The international career of France's top scorer Giroud came to an end in the match, as he made a late substitute appearance.
Giroud played 137 times and scored 57 goals – more than any other player for France – and won the World Cup in 2018.
But he spent most of his last tournament on the bench, tallying just 56 minutes of game time in four outings.
Giroud, 37, announced his retirement from international football prior to the Euros, having secured a move to Los Angeles FC from AC Milan.
"He had a lot of good moments, but also some more difficult ones," coach Deschamps said about Giroud's France career after the Spain loss.
"He is an example of longevity, seriousness and professionalism. Even though he had less playing time at this Euro, he was fully with the squad.
"He is one of the leaders. I want to say well done and thank you."
Giroud also helped France to reach the final at Euro 2016 and World Cup 2022.
As well as Mbappe and Giroud, it was a tough tournament for Antoine Griezmann, who set a record against Spain when he came on as a second-half substitute to play his 36th match at the Euros and World Cup combined.
While there has been speculation over the 33-year-old’s international future, the Atletico Madrid forward vowed to get back to his best following criticism of his form.
He made six appearances but did not register a goal or an assist and had lost his place in the France starting line-up by the time of their elimination.
"I started the tournament badly but I felt better and better, even if I ended up on the bench," said Griezmann.
"I’ll be back. I tried to give everything, in different positions too, I had to adapt. This is the life of a footballer. Others didn't play a minute, so it's not me who is going to complain."
Unai Emery sets Champions League mission as Aston Villa edge Southampton win
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery is quickly turning his attention to the UEFA Champions League following their 1-0 Premier League win over Southampton.
Jhon Duran's first-half goal sealed successive league victories for Emery on the back of three straight top-flight losses against rivals Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham.
Victory against the Saints is a vital boost for Emery ahead of a crucial few weeks of action before the end of 2024.
Villa head to RB Leipzig on 10 December, looking to push their case for a spot in the Round of 16, followed by four more league clashes this month.
The immediate focus for Emery is on Leipzig, with Villa's contrasting European form a cause for concern, despite a brilliant start on their Champions League debut.
Three straight wins in their first appearance in the competition since it was renamed – including an historic 1-0 home victory over Bayern Munich – put Villa in a strong position, but defeat to Club Brugge and a 0-0 tie with Juventus has stalled their momentum.
The former Arsenal chief wants this result to act as a platform for his team ahead of their tricky trip to Germany in midweek.
"Over the 90 minutes we had chances to score more, but sometimes they dominated possession. We managed the game plan to try and find a way to win," as per quotes from BBC Sport.
"The most important thing is how we're progressively getting more comfortable on the field. We had to use substitutions because we have the Champions League on Tuesday. Three matches in nine days. We have to be ready with the players we have available to try and enjoy the competition.
"The Champions League is something we have to enjoy, but we also focus on the difficulties in the Premier League, and the challenge against Nottingham Forest is something else. But, we have to try and get to the next round of the Champions League."
Up next for Villa is that Midlands derby with Forest, followed by a crunch clash at home to Manchester City on 21 December.
A win for Villa puts them up to fifth in the table, but defeat for Southampton registers as their 12th league loss of the campaign so far, with Russell Martin's team still rooted to the foot of the table.
Individual mistakes are becoming a theme, and centre-back Taylor Harwood-Bellis was robbed by Duran for Villa's winner, with Martin left to rue a familiar frustrating story for his team.
"We gave away a poor goal when it was a good, tight game. We changed shape and then the game became transitional. They were trying to find another goal, so it became very open," he said.
"We're two v one, and we had a chance to clear the ball, and we don't. It's another mistake. We forced them long, and then we had another two v one, and he [Duran] somehow comes out with the ball and scores."
Up next for Southampton is a home tie with Tottenham next weekend, followed by an EFL Cup quarter-final at home to Liverpool on December 18.
JFF, Reggae Boyz Head Coach wish Antonio speedy recovery after car crash
The Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) has issued a statement wishing for the speedy recovery of Reggae Boyz and West Ham United striker Michail Antonio following a motor vehicle accident in Essex on Saturday.
Since news of the accident, West Ham have confirmed that Antonio is in stable condition at a London Hospital, conscious and communicating under careful supervision.
JFF President Michael Ricketts and Reggae Boyz Head Coach Steve McClaren have both offered world of encouragement to Antonio in the statement sent out by the federation this afternoon.
"On behalf of the entire group of players, support staff and technical staff, I would like to wish Michail a speedy recovery. Our thoughts and prayers are with him at this time,” McClaren said.
“On behalf of the entire Jamaica Football Federation family, I would like to wish Michail a safe and speedy recovery. At this point let us keep him in our prayers as he recovers,” Ricketts added.
Further updates will be issued in due course between West Ham United in collaboration with the Jamaica Football Federation.
Guardiola 'so proud' of Man City despite Palace draw
Pep Guardiola saluted Manchester City's fight and insisted he is "so proud of the team", despite them dropping more points in Saturday's 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace.
City were forced to come from behind in each half at Selhurst Park, where Erling Haaland and Rico Lewis cancelled out efforts from Daniel Munoz and Maxence Lacroix.
The reigning Premier League champions are now winless in their last four away games, while they have won just one of their last nine matches in all competitions.
City sit fourth in the table and eight points behind leaders Liverpool, who have a game in hand after their scheduled Merseyside Derby against Everton was postponed due to adverse weather conditions.
Nevertheless, Guardiola paid tribute to his players.
Assessing the performance, he said: "Really good. So proud of the team. I liked everything about the team, how we fought. We have a lot of problems with our squad.
"We fought incredibly. We came back twice. It's a difficult place to come. We struggled in the beginning. We gave everything, and we take a point.
"We started the second half a bit sloppy. After [going 2-1 down], we reacted well."
However, Bernardo Silva could not hide his frustration at City's recent poor form.
"With Man City it's always two points lost," he told BBC Sport. "One point is better than zero, but we're not happy at the moment. We know our situation with injuries.
"Coming to Crystal Palace is never easy, but we have to do better. When I finish a game and I get a point, I'm not happy. It's not the way we built this team, it's not our standard.
"We have to do better, we have to react better to the second balls. We have to give them less opportunities from set-pieces.
"We're in December. We'd like to be in a different position. The last month-and-a-half has not been good enough."
Meanwhile, Palace moved up to 16th after extending their unbeaten run to four matches, and Oliver Glasner felt the Eagles were unfortunate not to take maximum points.
"We are pleased with the point and many parts of the performance," he said. "It feels like if we'd performed at our best level, we could have won the game.
"An unbeaten week with draws against Newcastle and Manchester City, everything is fine. We want to improve and get better in some situations, and we could win those games.
"After having the lead twice, especially after 2-1, we got too passive. It's not that easy against City, it's not a criticism of the players, but when you're in your own third, it's a matter of time. A gap of one yard, they find it with one or two touches.
"The players are in a very good situation and shape. We have more and more options. The results give us confidence."
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