DOHA: France beat Poland 3-1 in a record-breaking World Cup last-16 clash on Sunday, Nov.4 that saw Giroud become France’s outright all-time top scorer and Kylian Mbappe score a fabulous double. Mbappé’s brace takes his tally to five for this World Cup. He is now the tournament’s top scorer. France have a real chance with Mbappé in their side.
“The historic goal came on the stroke of half-time after Giroud controlled Kylian Mbappe’s pass before converting low into the net beyond the reach of Wojciech Szczesny.But having provided the assist for the first goal, the brilliant Mbappe turned on the style by scoring two fabulous strikes in the second half. He hit a powerful drive into the roof of the net from 16 yards for his first and curled home a wonderful second in injury time to take the lead in the Golden Boot race with five goals. Didier Deschamps’ side had been left frustrated up until the opener and could well have fallen behind.Poland’s best opening in the first half came when the ball dropped for Piotr Zielinski in the centre of the penalty area, but his strike was straight at Hugo Lloris.” – BBC
Lewandowski scored a consolation penalty in stoppage time that had to be taken twice after Hugo Lloris had moved off his line in saving Lewandowski’s first attempt.
France move on into the quarterfinals.France will face the winner of England vs. Senegal in its next game, who were slated to play later on Sunday. The road will only get tougher from here: Spain or Portugal are the likely opponents after that, and Argentina, the Netherlands, Brazil and Croatia lurk on the other side of the bracket.
France (4-2-3-1): Lloris; Kounde, Konate, Upamecano, T. Hernandez; Tchouameni, Rabiot;
Dembele, Griezmann, Mbappe, Giroud.
Poland (4-4-2): Szczesny; Cash, Glik, Kiwior, Bereszynski; Zielinski, Bielik, Krychowiak, Frankowski; Swiderski, Lewandowski.(sources: BBC/TheAthletic/Sportingnews/Newyorktimes
