Atletico Madrid forward Griezmann curtailed his typically exuberant celebrations after netting the second in the 2-0 win that sealed France’s spot in the final four.
The 27-year-old later spoke of his “love” for “Uruguayans and Uruguayan culture” formed by close relationships with club team-mate Diego Godin and former Real Sociedad mentor Martin Lasarte. Suarez, however, rejected the gesture as hollow given Griezmann’s role in ending his nation’s tournament.
“He’s not Uruguayan, he’s French and he scored a goal,” the Barcelona star told reporters. “He doesn’t know what we have to do to succeed in football. He will have his customs and his Uruguayan way of speaking, but we feel differently.”
Suarez rued the injury absence of strike partner Edinson Cavani as “essential” to the result , although Uruguay’s hopes of advancing were not aided by Fernando Muslera’s poor error for Griezmann’s goal .