Antoine Griezmann Gives France vs. Ireland Ball to Son of Murdered Policeman

Antoine Griezmann gifted the match ball from France's 2-1 last-16 defeat of the Republic of Ireland on Sunday—in which he scored twice—to the son of a French police officer who was murdered earlier this month.

Commander Jean-Baptiste Salvaing and his partner Jessica Schneider were fatally stabbed recently in Paris by Larossi Abballa, a man who has pledged allegiance to Islamic State, per BBC News.

French police posted a video on their Twitter feed captioned: "The France team shows solidarity with our police. Antoine Griezmann gives the #FRAIRL match ball to the son of JB Salvaing."

Griezmann's double turned Les Bleus' Lyon clash with Ireland on its head and secured the hosts their spot in the quarter-finals after Robbie Brady's early penalty had left France chasing the game.

The Atletico Madrid star scored twice in four second-half minutes to put France ahead, the first a powerful header from 12 yards before he coolly slotted home a left-footed shot after an Olivier Giroud knock-down in the box.

Griezmann now heads the tournament's scoring charts—alongside Alvaro Morata and Gareth Bale—having netted three times.

France face a quarter-final clash against minnows Iceland at the Stade de France on Sunday, before a potential last-four encounter with either Italy or Germany.