WATCH: Olivier Giroud blazed wide after a sublime Antoine Griezmann backheel and the response was nuclear

Euro 2016 finalists France and Portugal played their first World Cup Qualifiers last night but could only manage a point between them.

Portugal fell to Switzerland while France, whom they beat in July, could only draw 0-0 with Belarus. The world's 70th ranked side put up some stern defence to deny the French but Olivier Giroud really should have opened up the scoring, early in the second half. Atletico Madrid attacker Antoine Griezmann set up the Arsenal striker with a superb no-look backheel. The flick was perfectly timed and Giroud took it in his stride.

What a pass from Griezmann!#football #France pic.twitter.com/3Hrm2yKl95

— Photos of Football (@photosofootball) September 6, 2016

All Giroud had to do was finish for his 22nd international goal. He beat the goalkeeper but his low drive rocketed wide.

What an assist from Griezmann... oh wait, Giroud missed again! pic.twitter.com/rgQfEtzESW — Clarke (@NaturalFootyFan) September 6, 2016

Naturally, football fans were understanding of Giroud's plight... https://twitter.com/asapnxck/status/773351176595083264 Giroud + merde was a popular subject https://twitter.com/FanfanJayet/status/773255107857227776 https://twitter.com/Mourad_Laktf/status/773254829879726080 Peddling https://twitter.com/brendan_kelly97/status/773258456052686848 Actually... https://twitter.com/GiordanoBishop/status/773239884601516032 One user, with a staunch handle, still backs the Frenchman https://twitter.com/FaithInWenger/status/773438802631204864  The GAA Hour Hurling Show relives Tipperary’s sensational All-Ireland victory with Paidí Maher. Listen below or subscribe on iTunes.