There will be huge question marks about whether Italy can rest their hopes upon him to deliver
goals at a major tournament.
Not exact matches
Van Persie now has 45
goals in 85 appearances for his country, and can further cement his status as one of the best strikers in the world with more impressive displays
at a
major international
tournament, after already proving himself as a star of the Premier League.
• First capped by England in 1999, his first international
goal did not arrive until four years later, but he scored three times
at his first
major tournament — UEFA EURO 2004; drew blanks, however,
at the 2006 FIFA World Cup, where he missed a penalty in the quarter - final shoot - out against Portugal, and
at the 2010
tournament in South Africa.
Hosts France, with 11
goals, are the leading scorers
at the
tournament while Germany have never looked in any danger as they have cruised to what must feel like their rightful place in the semi-finals of a
major tournament.
Giroud arrives with a wealth of experience and a proven pedigree
at the highest level having scored
goals regularly in the Premier League, in Europe and on the international stage, where he has represented France
at three
major tournaments.