France is into the FIFA 2022 World Cup quarterfinals after a 3-1 win over Poland at Al Thumama Stadium on Sunday. Olivier Giroud opened the scoring on the stroke of half time in Doha before Kylian Mbappe added a second half double to send Didier Deschamps' men through.
Robert Lewandowski did ensure that the French have conceded in each game so far in Qatar with a late penalty at the second attempt. However, it was not enough to dampen the growing optimism surrounding this France side which is really starting to motor.
Giroud's goal makes him Les Bleus' all-time top scorer with 52 while Mbappe is now on the verge of double figured World Cup goals after his latest brace. The wait to discover their quarterfinal fate will not be long either with England vs. Senegal kicking off at 2 p.m. ET.
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"It was not easy as this Polish side was very well set up," Deschamps said moments after the final whistle. "We always have this ability to find a way, though. With Kylian, he has the ability to solve many issues which is great for us. We have been united since the start and obviously reaching the quarterfinals is very good. Our joy is shared. We have a bit more time now so will spend some time with our loved ones and families -- as was planned."
The first half at Al Thumama Stadium was tight with a superb Hugo Lloris save needed to deny Piotr Zielinski and some last ditch defending to keep Poland at bay. Giroud then spurned a great chance to score his 52nd goal for his country before he actually did as Ousmane Dembele's ball across the face of goal was just too fast for a sliding Giroud to turn in.
The AC Milan man did finally score when Mbappe assisted for him to clip home for the goal which moved him clear of Thierry Henry at the top of the charts. Lloris nearly undid that lead when he dropped the ball moments later, but smothered it before Jakub Kaminski could react.
The Poles' first half showing was as good as it would get for them as France really seized control in the second 45. Wojciech Szczesny was lucky to have been adjudged the victim of a Raphael Varane foul when it perhaps should have been a French penalty or Giroud's acrobatic disallowed effort allowed to stand.
Jakub Kiwior was then fortunate to not have a penalty blown against him when he fouled Mbappe in the area and no penalty was given. However, Poland's luck was over minutes later as the Paris Saint-Germain man struck for the killer second goal.
Dembele teed up Mbappe to slam home high into the net past Szczesny and the Eagles' resistance was done A dominant French side added a late flourish through the 23-year-old when he curled in a second in the first minute of added time to confirm their quarterfinal berth.
There was still time for the Polish to salvage a consolation goal through Lewandowski after Dayot Upamecano was adjudged to have handled the ball via VAR. Lloris initially saved from the Barcelona man, but the spot kick was ordered to be retaken and was converted at the second attempt.
France march on while Poland bow out after giving a good account of themselves after a rathe fortuitous qualification from Group C. Deschamps' side are not yet perfect, but they are growing into this tournament as they did in 2018 which is an ominous sign for their competition.