CNN
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France was made to work laborious for its place within the World Cup quarterfinals, overcoming an improved Poland facet 3-1 due to objectives from Olivier Giroud and Kylian Mbappé.
Giroud broke the impasse simply earlier than halftime, gathering a by way of move from Mbappé and placing the ball brilliantly into the far nook. It’s that sort of medical ending that has now earned Giroud 52 objectives for France, surpassing the earlier document held by Thierry Henry.
Poland struggled in its three group matches, enjoying a conservative fashion of soccer, however a extra attacking workforce on Sunday brought on France issues all through this match and Les Bleus had captain Hugo Lloris to thank for sustaining its clear sheet with a superb first-half save from Robert Lewandowski.
Nevertheless, with the sport very a lot within the stability, Mbappé confirmed why he’s thought of among the finest gamers on the earth, ending brilliantly into the close to publish from contained in the penalty space to interrupt Polish hearts.
If individuals thought Mbappé couldn’t high that effort, they might have been fallacious. His second – and France’s third – was a factor of magnificence, turning and curling a shocking strike into the highest nook.
That’s Mbappé’s fifth aim of Qatar 2022 and already his ninth World Cup aim general, breaking Pelé’s document of seven World Cup objectives scored earlier than the age of 24.
Lewandowski did get a comfort aim for Poland with the final kick of the sport, changing a penalty after he missed his first effort however was given a second likelihood as Lloris got here off his line.
After making seven modifications to the workforce for France’s defeat in opposition to Tunisia, supervisor Didier Deschamps reverted again to the workforce that beat Denmark in its second match of this World Cup.
France is seeking to grow to be simply the third workforce in historical past to win back-to-back World Cups and seemed like one of the vital harmful groups in Qatar after its opening two video games.
The workforce managed to win simply one in every of its six UEFA Nations League video games earlier this yr, ending beneath Croatia and Denmark, however – to the reduction of Deschamps – has rekindled the kind of kind that helped it elevate the trophy in Russia 4 years in the past.
The workforce’s enchancment is much more spectacular given Deschamps is with out quite a lot of key gamers at this World Cup.
One of the best images of the 2022 World Cup
Already lacking the midfield duo of Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kanté, who each began within the last 4 years in the past, France was then rocked by the information that defender Presnel Kimpembe, ahead Christopher Nkunku and Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema would additionally miss the event by way of harm.
Then got here the information that defender Lucas Hernández had suffered a knee harm within the opening sport and would even be out for the remainder of the World Cup.
However when you may have Mbappé on the pitch, the workforce will at all times have an opportunity. Identified for his eye for aim, the 23-year-old turned supplier for the opener, threading a ball into strike accomplice Giroud, who took one contact and struck the ball into the bottom, inflicting it to bobble over Wojciech Szczęsny’s hand and into the far nook.
Poland was left to rue a missed alternative simply minutes earlier, as Lloris produced a shocking cease to maintain out Lewandowski, earlier than his defenders then made a goal-saving block on the road.
It was by far the very best Poland had performed on this World Cup and France knew it will have a battle on its arms within the second half.
Regardless of spells of Polish stress, France was the higher facet within the second half and at last put the sport past the Poles when Mbappé’s candy strike caught out Szczęsny at his close to publish.
With the clock ticking down, Mbappé added gloss to the scoreline. After receiving a move from Marcus Thuram, he turned previous a Polish defender and put a pinpoint effort into the highest nook – it was among the finest objectives of the event to date.
After the match, Mbappé was requested about his goalscoring exploits and if the Golden Boot – awarded to the event’s high scorer – was one in every of his goals in Qatar.
“The one goal for me is to win the World Cup, now to win the following sport, the quarterfinal, is an important factor,” he stated. “That’s what I dream, the one factor I dream is that this. For that I got here right here, I got here to win this World Cup.
“I didn’t come right here to win the Golden Ball or the Golden Boot. If I win it, in fact, I’m going to be glad, however that’s not why I’m right here. I’m right here to win and I’m right here to assist the French nationwide workforce.”
There was to be some late motion within the sport’s dying moments after referee Jesús Valenzuela dominated that Dayot Upamecano had blocked a cross into the field along with his arm.
Lewandowski’s run up was unorthodox, stuttering after which hopping earlier than putting the ball. It resulted in a weak effort that was simply saved by Lloris, however Lewandowski was given a second likelihood to attain his second aim of the event as Lloris was dominated to have come off his line.
The Barcelona striker repeated the bizarre approach, however this time with success into the underside left nook.
Regardless of conceding late, France and Deschamps can be actually be happy with what was a whole efficiency in opposition to a troublesome facet.
On Sunday’s exhibiting, few groups will relish the possibility of dealing with France on this event.