A goal for Olivier Giroud and two for Kylian Mbappe at the Al Thumama Stadium saw France beat Poland 3-1 to qualify for the quarter-finals of the World Cup in Qatar.

France dominated the game on Sunday, which saw Giroud become France’s record highest goalscorer with 52 goals.

his experience mattered when he made a superb quick save to deny Piotr Zielinski.

Coach Didier Deschamps had warned that there was more to Poland than Lewandowski, and he was proved right as the French were at times shaky at the back.

“It’s not been easy because they’re a well-organised team and we had to make some positional changes at half-time,” said Deschamps.

“We’re a united squad and tonight the players’ impeccable behaviour has been rewarded. Now we’re going to spend a little bit of time with our families.”

France got off to a dominant start before abandoning possession, looking to create space in the back of the Polish defence after Mbappe’s first forays failed to lead to clear chances.

Poland’s poise came close to being rewarded in the 38th minute when the onrushing Zielinski’s shot was parried by Lloris. It then came back into the midfielder’s path but his second attempt was deflected by Theo Hernandez.

Jakub Kaminski followed, only for his shot to be saved close to the goal-line by Raphael Varane.

Source Al Jazeera 

BDST: 2333 HRS, DEC 4, 2022
MSK