DOHA — Kylian Mbappe set up a history-making goal for
Olivier Giroud and then scored two himself as holders France eased into the
quarterfinals of the World Cup with a 3–1 win over Poland on Sunday.
Giroud’s opening goal a minute before half-time was his 52nd
for his country, allowing him to pass Thierry Henry and become France’s
all-time record marksman.
Mbappe’s lethal strike in the 74th minute killed off any
prospect of a Poland comeback and he netted again at the death to move to nine
goals in just 11 World Cup appearances, the second-most for a French player at
the tournament.
At the other end the threat of Robert Lewandowski was
snuffed out by the French defense although the 34-year-old Poland captain did
get the consolation of scoring a stoppage-time penalty.
France, though, march on to the quarterfinals and remain on
course to become the first team to successfully defend the World Cup since
Brazil 60 years ago.
France were overwhelming favorites against a Poland side who
had limped through the group stage, but the memory of their exit from Euro 2020
served as a warning.
France had been 3-1 up and cruising in that last-16 tie
against Switzerland only to concede two late goals and end up losing on
penalties, with Mbappe missing the crucial spot-kick.
Mbappe returned on Sunday as one of nine changes following their
inconsequential defeat by Tunisia, with goalkeeper and captain Hugo Lloris also
returning to win his 142nd cap.
That saw him equal the record for most France appearances
held by Lilian Thuram, whose son Marcus came off the bench here.
It was a history-making occasion for France but what coach
Didier Deschamps wanted above all was a routine victory and progression to the
quarterfinals.
The sky should be the limit for a French side led by Mbappe,
but it is not just him.
Ousmane Dembele and Antoine Griezmann were lively in a
strong start amid a hushed atmosphere at Al Thumama Stadium.
Emphatic
The fans were happy to sit back and be thrilled as the big
screen at one point showed that Mbappe had reached a top speed of 35km per
hour.
France’s pace and pressing was too much for Poland as
Przemyslaw Frankowski gave possession away, leading to Dembele crossing to the
back post for Giroud to somehow put the ball wide.
Poland, who have not won a World Cup knockout match since
1982, recovered from a tentative start to almost go ahead in the 38th minute as
Lloris blocked a shot by Piotr Zielinski and Jakub Kaminski’s follow-up was
stopped on the line by Raphael Varane.
Those misses proved crucial as France seized the lead a
minute before half-time.
Patient build-up play ended with Mbappe having a glance as
he received the ball just outside the box before playing in Giroud who took a
touch and finished into the far corner.
Poland were left to chase the game in the second half and
they sent on Juventus striker Arkadiusz Milik to support Lewandowski for the
final half hour.
However, their attack was simply no match for France, who
picked off Poland to make it 2–0.
A Griezmann clearance was brought down by Giroud and he
released Dembele whose ball into the middle was controlled before being blasted
home by Mbappe.
It was an emphatic finish and was followed by another of a
similar calibre from a Thuram assist in stoppage time.
Only Just Fontaine, who scored 13 in 1958, has scored more
World Cup goals for France.
Lewandowski then pulled one back right at the end,
converting a retaken penalty that was awarded for a handball by Dayot Upamecano.
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