France 3-1 Poland: Mbappé, Giroud set records as French waltz into quarters
France’s dream of becoming the first nation to successfully defend a World Cup title since Brazil in 1958-1962 stayed alive Sunday with a 3-1 victory over Poland in the Round of 16.
Olivier Giroud provided the breakthrough just on the eve of halftime, and Kylian Mbappé scored twice with a pair of stunning goals in the second half to put an exclamation point on France’s dominant performance.
Giroud moved past Thierry Henry atop France’s all-time scoring list with his 52nd career goal for Les Bleus, while Mbappé’s eighth and ninth World Cup goals are the most by a player before turning 24-years old, passing the great Pelé.
Poland’s consolation goal came in the 98th minute off a Robert Lewandowski penalty, which was rewarded thanks to a handball by French defender Dayot Upamecano.
Mbappé also played a part in France’s first tally.
After patient buildup by the French, the ball eventually found its way to the 23-year old star just outside of the box. With Polish defenders gravitating toward him, Mbappé slipped a pass into the vacated space to set up Giroud’s left-footed shot past Wojciech Szczęsny in the 44th minute.
Giroud nearly provided the goal of the tournament and upped his tally to 53 in the second half with a bicycle kick that found the back of the net, but the goal was ruled out due to a foul by Raphaël Varane moments before Giroud’s overhead attempt.
France’s halftime lead was widely expected, but Poland nearly grabbed the lead minutes before Giroud’s goal.
In the 38th minute, Piotr Zielenski found himself wide open in the middle of the box, but his shot went straight at France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris. Two rebounds off Zielenski’s effort were cleared off the line by the French defence, preserving the nil-nil scoreline.
The Red and Whites averaged 34 percent possession during their group stage matches, but they held the ball for 44 percent of the first 45 minutes.
France had their opportunities as well in the first half. Mbappé was a menace down the left side, beating Matty Cash with pace and continuously sending crosses into the box.
Their best early chance came off a low pass from Ousmane Dembélé in the 29th minute that Giroud couldn’t quite reach with solid contact.
Poland didn’t create much in the second half. A 71st minute free kick by Zielinski did find the head of Kamil Glik, but the centre back’s effort flew over the bar.
And just three minutes later, Mbappé put the match to rest.
A fantastic counter attack that included hold-up play from Giroud and an assist by Demebele finished with a powerful curling shot by Mbappé that beat Szczęsny at the near post.
Mbappé’s second came from a similar spot, this time targeting the top corner of the far post, in the first minute of stoppage time. He now leads the Golden Boot race with five goals at the tournament.
France await the winner of Sunday night’s Round of 16 fixture between England and Senegal, and their quarterfinal match will be Saturday at 7 pm.
