France fought back to earn a 1-1 draw against the United States in Saturday’s World Cup warm-up for Les Blues, but the result was secondary to the well-being of two Chelsea players, striker Olivier Giroud and loanee defender Matt Miazga, who clashed heads around the hour-mark while battling for a corner. Both were substituted immediately following on-pitch treatment. With memories of Gary Cahill’s collision with Ryan Mason last year still fresh in our minds, which ended Mason’s career and nearly his life, the copious amount of blood pouring out of Miazga’s head was certainly concerning. Fortunately, neither player suffered a skull injury, though stitches were required — 6 for Giroud and 15 for Miazga. Miazga was also confirmed to be under concussion protocol. Dave Sarachan says Matt Miazga took 15 stitches in his head. USSF spokesman adds Miazga has started concussion protocol and will be monitored, Sarachan didn't think Miazga has a concussion tho. #usmnt — Jeff Carlisle (@JeffreyCarlisle) June 9, 2018 Hopefully Giroud will be similarly monitored, even if he himself thinks he’s fine. “It’s part of the job,” he says as he wipes blood away from his stitched forehead. Most reports expect Giroud to be a “doubt” for France’s opener at the World Cup, next Saturday against Australia. There won’t be any doubt over N’Golo Kanté, hopefully, who completed the full 90 on Saturday, nor Andreas Christensen, who put in a solid shift for Denmark in back-four as they beat Mexico 2-0. Elsewhere, César Azpilicueta was an unusued substitute for Spain as they squeaked out a 1-0 win over Tunisia.<doc-sep>Sign up to FREE email alerts from Football London - Chelsea Invalid Email Something went wrong, please try again later. Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Olivier Giroud has been given a boost ahead of the World Cup with the striker set to be fit enough to play in France's opening match of the tournament. The 31-year-old was involved in a nasty clash of heads with fellow Chelsea player Matt Miazga in his country's final warm-up match against the USA ahead of the competition which gets under way on Thursday. Both players required treatment with blood pouring down and eventually Giroud was taken off the pitch. It looked like the former Arsenal man's tournament could be in jeopardy as he underwent the concussion protocol. However, Giroud has been handed some good news as it looks like he will feature when France take on Australia in their opening match on Saturday at the Kazan Arena. "Olivier Giroud has a beautiful cut of six centimetres. But he will be able to face Australia," France's head coach Didier Deschamps revealed. As for Miazga, the defender, who was out on loan at Vitesse last season, needed 15 stitches to his head, however there has been no further update to his condition. It is not believed that he suffered a skull fracture, but with no World Cup for the USA he has longer to recover before he will be playing again. Keep up to date with the latest news, features and exclusives from football.london via the free football.london app for iPhone and Android. Available to download from the App Store and Google Play.<doc-sep>The video will auto-play soon 8 Cancel Get the FREE Mirror Football newsletter by email with the day's key headlines and transfer news Invalid Email Something went wrong, please try again later. Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Olivier Giroud suffered a sickening clash of heads with Chelsea team-mate Matt Miazga and was forced off during France's friendly against the USA on Saturday night. The Blues striker was attacking a corner when he collided with the American. Both players went down hurt and blood was visible on each footballer. Giroud laid on the pitch for around five minutes while he was treated by France's medical team. After his head was bandaged, Giroud was forced off and replaced by Ousmane Dembele. Matt Miazga was also withdrawn from play shortly after. (Image: AFP) Players surrounding Giroud appeared to show real concern for their team-mate as he gingerly walked of the pitch. It was France's final friendly before their opening World Cup group game against Australia. (Image: AFP PHOTO / JEFF PACHOUDJEFF PACHOUD/AFP/Getty Images) (Image: AFP PHOTO / JEFF PACHOUDJEFF PACHOUD/AFP/Getty Images) (Image: AFP PHOTO / JEFF PACHOUDJEFF PACHOUD/AFP/Getty Images) (Image: AFP PHOTO / JEFF PACHOUDJEFF PACHOUD/AFP/Getty Images) (Image: REUTERS) (Image: REUTERS) At the time of the incident, USA were winning the friendly 1-0 thanks to a Julian Green goal on the stroke of half-time. France managed to level the tie in Lyon on the 78th minute when Kylian Mbappe slotted home. The friendly finished 1-1.<doc-sep>
OLIVIER GIROUD left the pitch covered in blood after a horrific clash of heads with Chelsea team-mate Matt Miazga. The 31-year-old was hauled off in the 58th minute and replaced by Ousmane Dembele during France's clash with USA. 3 Medical staff raced onto the pitch to check over the striker Credit: Reuters Giroud collapsed the ground and clutched his face as his team-mates surrounded him at the Groupama stadium. The match was stopped for around five minutes as medical staff wrapped a large bandage around his head. After being thoroughly checked over, the former Arsenal star managed to walk off the field without any assistance. Miazga and the 31-year-old clashed heads as they jumped for a header following a corner kick. "Soccer. A sport for wusses." -dummies pic.twitter.com/XHBROyPK4P — Samuel Army (@thesamuelarmy) June 9, 2018 3 Olivier Giroud was injured during the international friendly Credit: AP:Associated Press Half of Miazga's face was covered in blood and he was replaced by American ace Erik Palmer-Brown. France were 1-0 down when the incident took place after Julian Green broke the deadlock in the first half. Shortly after Giroud's departure, Kylian Mbappe levelled the scoring for Didier Deschamps' side. The friendly is France's final friendly before their opening Group C World Cup match against Australia on 16 June. 3 Olivier Giroud was checked over on the pitch for around five minutes Credit: Reuters Dream Team World Cup - Sign up to win £100k Enter for FREE £50m budget and 20 transfers throughout the tournament and throughout the tournament Play to win £100k top price and a share of £175k prizepot SIGN UP FOR DREAM TEAM WORLD CUP NOW