Olivier Giroud and Kylian Mbappe rejoice after the latter scored France’s second aim of their FIFA World Cup Spherical of 16 conflict in opposition to Poland. AP
Doha: Kylian Mbappe arrange a history-making aim for Olivier Giroud after which scored two himself as holders France eased into the World Cup quarter-finals with a 3-1 win over Poland on Sunday.
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Giroud’s opening aim a minute earlier than half-time was his 52nd for his nation, permitting him to move Thierry Henry and turn out to be France’s all-time report marksman.
Mbappe’s deadly strike within the 74th minute killed off any prospect of a Poland comeback and he netted once more on the loss of life to maneuver to 9 objectives in simply 11 World Cup appearances.
On the different finish, the specter of Robert Lewandowski was snuffed out by the French defence though the 34-year-old Poland captain did get the comfort of scoring a stoppage-time penalty.
France march on to the quarter-finals and are heading in the right direction to turn out to be the primary group to efficiently defend the World Cup since Brazil 60 years in the past.
“It wasn’t simple as a result of Poland have been nicely organised and tried to counter us,” France coach Didier Deschamps advised broadcaster TF1.
“Then there’s Kylian along with his potential to resolve all types of issues, and that’s simply as nicely for us.
“This group has been united from the start and clearly a consequence like this one confirms that. The enjoyment is shared amongst everybody.”
Lloris landmark
France have been overwhelming favourites in opposition to a Poland facet who limped via the group stage and who had not gained a World Cup knockout tie since 1982.
“We bought out of the group stage for the primary time since 1986. That was our important goal,” mentioned Poland coach Czeslaw Michniewicz.
However he added: “There isn’t any recipe to cease Mbappe within the kind that he’s in proper now.”
Mbappe returned as considered one of 9 adjustments following their inconsequential defeat by Tunisia, with goalkeeper and captain Hugo Lloris additionally coming again to win his 142nd cap.
That noticed him equal the report for many France appearances, held by Lilian Thuram, whose son Marcus got here off the bench on the Al Thumama Stadium.
It was a history-making event for France however what Deschamps needed above all was a routine victory and development to the final eight.
The sky needs to be the restrict for a French facet led by Mbappe, however it’s not simply him.
Ousmane Dembele and Antoine Griezmann have been energetic in a powerful begin at a hushed ambiance at Al Thumama Stadium.
Emphatic
The followers have been pleased to take a seat again and be thrilled as the massive display at one level confirmed Mbappe had reached a high pace of 35 kilometres (21 miles) per hour.
France’s tempo and urgent was an excessive amount of for Poland as Przemyslaw Frankowski gave possession away, resulting in Dembele crossing to the again publish for Giroud to place the ball broad.
Poland recovered from a tentative begin to nearly go forward within the thirty eighth minute when Lloris blocked Piotr Zielinski’s shot and Jakub Kaminski’s follow-up was stopped on the road by Raphael Varane.
These misses proved essential as France seized the lead a minute earlier than half-time.
Affected person build-up play ended with Mbappe having a look as he obtained the ball simply exterior the field earlier than taking part in in Giroud, who took a contact and completed into the far nook.
Poland have been left to chase the sport within the second half they usually despatched on Juventus striker Arkadiusz Milik to help Lewandowski for the ultimate half-hour.
Nonetheless, their assault was no match for France, who picked off Poland to make it 2-0.
A Griezmann clearance was introduced down by Giroud and he launched Dembele, whose ball into the center was managed earlier than being blasted house by Mbappe.
It was an emphatic end and was adopted by one other of the same calibre from a Thuram help in stoppage time.
Solely Simply Fontaine, who scored 13 in 1958, has scored extra World Cup objectives for France than Mbappe.
Lewandowski pulled one again proper on the finish, changing a retaken penalty that was awarded for handball by Dayot Upamecano.
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