Antoine Griezmann saved his best for Ireland but still found time for a young French supporter after the final whistle.
It was not known to many at the time but France had a very special guest of honour during their 2-1 win over Ireland.
The son of slain police officer Jean-Baptiste Salvaing was at Stade Olympique Lyonnais at the bequest of the French Football Federation.
Salvaing and his girlfriend were murdered in the early hours of June 13 in a suspected act of terrorism. The murders left the couple’s children, Hugo and Mathieu, orphans.
Knowing that Hugo was a keen football fan, the federation reached out to the Police Nationale [French police force] with an invite and some tickets.
The game was drifting away from France when Griezmann stepped up and scored a brace. It shattered Ireland’s Euro 2016 hopes but had the French fans in raptures.
Following the game, Griezmann met up with Hugo to present him with the match ball and pose for a photograph.
L’@equipedefrance solidaire de nos policiers@AntoGriezmann remet le ballon du match #FRAIRL au fils de JB Salvainghttps://t.co/CWWXjOUDXG
— Police Nationale (@PoliceNationale) June 29, 2016
Police Nationale also shared a touching letter, sent on behalf of Salvaing’s family, that thanked everyone for rallying around them and the two boys after the murders.
La famille de Jean-Baptiste Salvaing tient à vous adresser en retour ces quelques mots de remerciements. pic.twitter.com/MjhORBba7s
— Police nationale (@PoliceNationale) June 30, 2016
Fair play to Griezmann, the FFF, police force and all involved. A brief ray of sunshine at a dark, dark time.
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