It is the end of the road for Poland in the ongoing 2022 FIFA World Cup, after goals from Oliver Giroud and Kylie Mbappe truncated their move to the quarter final.
Mbappe’s goal started with Griezmann hacking the ball clear near his own six-yard box to set the front-three away. Proof of his new No8 role and how he’s happy to do the dirty work. He adds the cherry on top of this French victory with another in the 91 minutes.
France will either play England or Senegal.
They had a couple of scary moments in the first half, but after the break Mbappe came to life and he’s fired them into the quarter-finals. Giroud’s record-breaking goal set the French on course for victory earlier on. Lewandowski scored a late consolation from the penalty spot.
As at 85 minutes, life appears to have been drained from Poland, now, and from this game as a contest, in truth.
Poland got their goal but were well out-classed in that second half. The French players go over to their fans at the end and look delighted to progress.
Lewandowski had initially missed a penalty… but the referee pulls it back for encroachment. Or maybe Lloris was off his line? Either way, he however got a second chance at scoring his second World Cup goal.
🔴LIVE UPDATE:
SECOND HALF: FRANCE 3-1 Poland
GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLL: Kylie Mbappe
Dembele’s Move
Dembele opts to pull it right back to Mbappe on the edge of the box. Surely a ball across the goal-face would have done the trick, there? Mbappe miscontrols. Yes, you read that right.
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Poland have a taste of the ball
Upemecano’s Moves
Upemecano has been really impressive all tournament at the back for France. He makes a superbly timed challenge.
Bereszynski gets booked
The Pole picks up a yellow for a sliding challenge on Dembele. He argues he got the ball but the referee isn’t listening.
Griezmann tests Szczesny from the resulting free-kick but the keeper punches it clear.
Time for some more pictures…
No football for a few minutes or so, so enjoy these highlights of the first half while we’re making a cup of tea.
It’s 1-0 at the break.
Just that one moment of excellence separates the sides – a through-ball from Mbappe and a fine swivel and finish from the record-breaker, Giroud.
Poland had their chances and will feel slightly unfortunate. The French quality has just about shone through.
GOAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL: Giroud puts France ahead in 44th mins
What timing from the French to find their goal just before the break – and it’s an historic one for the ex Arsenal and Chelsea man, who turned and found the bottom corner, to become his nation’s record goalscorer.
Poland holding onto it
Czeslaw Michniewicz’ team have grown into this game and had their first period of sustained possession. Frankowski has a shot blocked inside the box but positive signs for the team in white.
25 mins: France 0-0 Poland
France dominating possession
Les Blues have had around 70% in this opening 15 minutes and have been putting some pressure on that Polish defence. Dembele gets another shot away at Szczesny’s goal, but it’s too close to him and the keeper dives on it.
Tchouameni shoots from distance
Poland allow him time on the ball 25 yards out and the midfielder launches a shot on Szczesny’s goal. The keeper can only parry as there’s some serious venom on it.
Dembele blocked shot
Mbappe once again causes chaos down that Polish right flank. He flashes a shot across goal which Dembele eventually gets a hold of, but his shot at Szczesny’s goal is blocked.
12 mins: France 0-0 Poland
France get us underway wearing their usual blue and white kit, playing left to right on your screens. Poland have donned a white shirt with red shorts.
Here we go.
France can this afternoon become the third team to book their place in the quarter-finals of the World Cup when they meet Poland in Al Thumama Stadium.
The 2018 winners are the first reigning champions to reach the knockout stage at a World Cup since Brazil in 2006.
This afternoon’s kick-off pits Kylian Mbappe’s defending champions against Robert Lewandoski’s Poles, who qualified for the last-16 despite largely failing to impress in Qatar so far.
They sealed qualification with a game to spare before a surprise 1-0 loss to Tunisia in their final group game.
Poland finished ahead of Mexico on goal difference as they progressed from Group C as runners-up to Argentina, to whom they lost 2-0 in their final group fixture.
Apex Football News 