Mbappe Grabs Brace As France Ease Past Poland: In the round of 16 match at Al Thumama Stadium, France defeated Poland 3-1 thanks to goals from Kylian Mbappe and Olivier Giroud.
The Poland team led by Czesaw Michniewicz was tenacious but restricted, and they were easily defeated by Didier Deschamps’ team. The winner of Sunday’s latter game between Senegal and England will now be seen in France. Mbappe now has five goals overall, making him the tournament’s top scorer thanks to his brace.
Mbappe Grabs Brace As France Ease Past Poland As Giroud And Mbappe Scores
Kylian Mbappe scored twice as France defeated Poland 3-1 to advance to the World Cup quarterfinals.
The game began as predicted with France in charge, controlling possession, and taking its time in front of goal. Poland, however, responded favorably and restrained France from rioting. They knew which buttons to push, they made France suffer as a result, they created fits of mania, and with a little bit of luck, they might have had a chance.
On the other hand, they also knew when to be compact and to dive deep. When they had the ball, they were bold and made the decision to play up the field, which gave them some success in the form of opportunities at the French goal.
They would have felt cheated to go into halftime with a 1-0 down, but France would counter that they deserved it. Because even though they didn’t generate many significant scoring opportunities in the first half, they always appeared dangerous when they approached the opposition’s penalty area, and they were rewarded right before halftime. With a touch and a shot into the bottom corner, Giroud showed natural striker instinct after receiving a threaded feed from Mbappe.
Giroud scored a historic goal as well, passing Thierry Henry to become France’s all-time leading scorer—a record that he might not keep for long, considering the pace at which Mbappe is developing.
The second half saw Czesaw Michniewicz’s team continue their impressive play; they were generally reliable in the defensive and middle thirds, but it was in the final third that these two teams appeared to be on completely different planets. Poland’s box was surrounded by all the quality that France possessed. They moved swiftly and deftly. Poland found it difficult to reproduce that in France’s box. The final nail in Poland’s coffin was a Mbappe goal in the 74th minute.
He may have had a little too much time to get his shot off because the Polish defenders failed to close in on him quickly enough. However, that would be a harsh assessment given how cold-blooded Mbappe was.
The 23-year-old, however, needed more than one, so he ordered another, and this time it was even better than the first. The goal net rippled once more as soon as he received the ball within the box while being surrounded by two or three defenders. He quickly adjusted his feet.
Giroud scored a historic goal as well, passing Thierry Henry. To become France’s all-time leading scorer a record that he might not keep for long, considering the pace at which Mbappe is developing.
Both the way Lewandowski rushed up to the shot and how he stepped up was peculiar. It was timid, sluggish, and Lloris saved it. However, he was given another chance because it appeared that the French players were encroaching. Same preparation the second time, but a different result. He scores his second World Cup goal with a more confident penalty kick from the Barcelona player.
Overall, France delivered what we expected, putting on a consistent performance that was capped off by a few standout plays to secure their position in the quarterfinals, where they will face either England or Senegal.
Despite being eliminated from the tournament, Poland should be proud of their effort tonight against one of the top national teams in the world.
With five goals, Mbappe has taken over as the 2022 World Cup’s top scorer.
Mbappe Grabs Brace As France Ease Past Poland: PLAYER OF THE MATCH – KYLIAN MBAPPE (FRANCE)
The Frenchman’s two goals and an assist were the game-changer, and it was another polished performance from him. The crowd cheered louder each time he caught the ball, hoping for a brief flash of brilliance. And those opportunities did materialize; his two goals that evening were both top-notch.
KEY STAT
Mbappe becomes the youngest player to score eight World Cup goals, a record formerly held by Eusebio.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
44’ GOAL FRANCE 1-0 POLAND (GIROUD). A record-breaking goal for Giroud, and one which puts France ahead just before the half-time whistle.
74’ GOAL FRANCE 2-0 POLAND (MBAPPE). Who else but Mbappe, a great finish from the 23-year-old, had time to pick out his spot, and dispatched it. Clinical.
90+1’ GOAL FRANCE 3-0 POLAND (MBAPPE). He has absolutely no right to score from there! Two or three defenders around him in the box and he still manages to adjust his feet and get the shot off, as quick as you like! Keepers simply not stopping that one, right into the top corner.
90+9 GOAL FRANCE 3-1 POLAND (LEWANDOWSKI). VAR deemed a handball against Upamecano in his own box and award Poland a penalty. Lewandowski steps up and actually misses on his first attempt, Lloris with the save.
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