France reached the quarter-finals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup after beating Poland 3-1, courtesy of goals from Olivier Giroud and Kylian Mbappe, at the Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar.
The defending champions started with Giroud in attack, supported by Ousmane Dembele and Mbappe. Poland featured Robert Lewandowski up-front, with Jakub Kaminski and Przemslaw Frankowski on the flanks.
Striker Giroud opened the scoring for France just before halftime, placing the ball past Poland goalkeeper Wojcieh Szczesny to score his 52nd goal for Les Bleus.
The goal made Giroud France’s all time leading goalscorer, surpassing the record of legendary striker Thierry Henry (51).
Mbappe then doubled France’s lead in the 74th minute, firing a thunderbolt of a shot past Szczesny to make the scores 2-1.
The Poles had no answers against the attack of the French, as the pace of wingers Mbappe and Dembele troubled the defence of Poland.
In second half stoppage time, star player Mbappe then fired in another brilliant shot to make the scores 3-1 to France. Mbappe now has five (5) goals in Qatar, two more than any other player at the tournament.
Poland were then awarded a penalty just before the end of the match for a handball in the box by a French defender. Lewandowski stepped up and scored from the spot after his initial penalty kick was saved by France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris to score a consolation goal.
However, the match finished 3-1 in favour of France as the defending champions reached the quarterfinals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in spectacular fashion.
France will now either face England or Senegal in their next match.
