World Cup 2022: Kylian Mbappe Steers France Through To Quarter-Finals

 

France are going through to the quarter-finals of the Fifa World Cup in Qatar after defeating Poland 3-1 as Kylian Mbappe contributed a brace to see the side through the game.

Poland found their opponents' defense too hard to crack, nevertheless, there were few occassions of threats from the Polish side especially in the first half. All that settled when Olivier Giroud latched onto a through pass from Mbappe and steered the ball bottom left to beat goalkeeper Wojceich Szczesny to the post for the opening goal.

Giroud, late into the half, opened the scoreline for a record setting 52nd international goal for France and upset the previous record holder Thienry Henry (51). Their return from break would see Mbappe score twice for his ninth World Cup goal for France. 

Ousmane Dembele inspired the second goal with a through pass to Mbappe and despite having two polish defenders obstructing his view of the post, lashed the ball through to the far corner of the post and doubled the lead for France. The third goal was similar, and this time on stoppage time, he lashed Marcus Thuram's pass down bottom left of the post. 

Giroud and Dembele were later substituted with 15 minutes remaining to play before Mbappe scored the third. The combination of Giroud and Mbappe in the attack was enough a big threat for the Polish.

Robert lewandowski was literally ineffective throughout the game as the France's defence had him in check but in the end he scored Poland's only goal from a penalty on stoppage time. 

France, who are vying for their third Cup Cup trophy will face the winner between England and Senegal in their Last 16 game on Sunday.