Olivier Giroud’s first goal for MLS club LAFC was significant despite their defeat to Columbus Crew in the Leagues Cup 2024 final, fellow Fifa World Cup winner Hugo Lloris has said.
New signing Giroud drew LAFC level after 57 minutes of the 3-1 loss in Columbus, heading in on his fourth club appearance since leaving Milan at the end of last season.
Cucho Hernandez, who had opened the scoring for Columbus in the 45th minute, put his side ahead again in the 92nd minute before Jacen Russell-Rowe added another two minutes later to beat LAFC 3-1.
Made for the moment.
Olivier Giroud scores his first goal in Black & Gold! pic.twitter.com/J4e3IBq4Qj
— LAFC (@LAFC) August 26, 2024
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Columbus Crew vs LAFC
“It’s always difficult to talk about a final when you lose,” said goalkeeper Lloris, who played the entirety of the final, speaking to LAFC’s website.
“We can be proud of our second half: we were really brave and aggressive and played much higher than we did in the second half.
“We took many risks and even took control when we made it 1-1. Even if there are a lot of positives, we lost on details. The way we managed the end of the game has to be better.”
Leagues Cup final: LAFC beaten
LAFC lost the fixture 5-1 at home in the MLS on July 14 and were beaten by Mexican side Monterrey in the quarter-finals of the Leagues Cup in 2023.
“We’ve reduced the gap, compared with the game in the regular season… but it doesn’t matter,” reflected former Tottenham captain Lloris, who joined Los Angeles in December 2023. “It’s a defeat.”
COLUMBUS TAKE THE LEAD IN THE @LEAGUESCUP FINAL IN STOPPAGE TIME!!!! pic.twitter.com/Kv4DnGeoXG
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 26, 2024
Lloris knows Giroud’s qualities from their time together with the Bleus between 2011 and 2022, as well as from their encounters in the Premier League during the targetman’s spells with Arsenal and Chelsea.
Giroud LAFC goals
Giroud – the same age as Lloris, at 37 – is yet to reach full fitness, having taken a break after representing his country at Uefa Euro 2024 in June and July.
“This goal is probably important for him, opening his account for his new club,” said Lloris. “Things will get better and better – he just needs time and goals.
“He was getting better and better during the game. He’s still a bit short because he had three weeks off before joining us.”
LAFC are second in the Western Conference, five points behind LA Galaxy with three matches in hand. They play Houston Dynamo twice in their next MLS games before visiting the leaders on September 15 (3.30am ET).
