World Cup: Giroud and Mbappe take ruthless France into quarter-finals after 3-1 victory over Poland
- Kylian Mbappe set up a history-making goal for Olivier Giroud and then scored two himself
- France are on course to become the first team to successfully defend the World Cup since Brazil 60 years ago. They face England or Senegal next in Qatar
Kylian Mbappe set up a history-making goal for Olivier Giroud and then scored two himself as holders France eased into the World Cup quarter-finals with a 3-1 win over Poland on Sunday.
Giroud’s opening goal a minute before half-time was his 52nd for his country, passing Thierry Henry to 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.
At the other end the threat of Robert Lewandowski was snuffed out by the French defence although the 34-year-old Poland captain did get the consolation of scoring a stoppage-time penalty.
France march on to the quarter-finals and are on course to become the first team to successfully defend the World Cup since Brazil 60 years ago.
They face England or Senegal next in Qatar.
“It wasn’t easy because Poland were well organised and tried to counter us,” France coach Didier Deschamps told broadcaster TF1.