France beat Poland to reach World Cup quarter-finals – Reuters

DOHA, Dec 4 (Reuters) – France beat Poland 3-1 in a record-smashing World Cup last-16 clash on Sunday that saw Olivier Giroud become France’s outright all-time top scorer and Kylian Mbappe score a magnificent double.

France were relentless on the attack as they pushed for an opening goal but could not unlock a sturdy Poland until just before the break when Mbappe played a pin-point ball through to Giroud, who hammered it past a diving Wojciech Szczesny to claim his 52nd goal for Les Bleus.

Holders France continued to press after the break, with Giroud almost netting a second when he flicked Jules Kounde’s cross just past the near post. But Mbappe did not miss in the 74th minute, unleashing a missile from just inside the penalty area that shot into the top corner.

Mbappe was not done, adding a second goal in stoppage time with another screamer to seal the win and take his total for the tournament to five.

Poland got a consolation goal from a Robert Lewandowski penalty.

Real Life. Real News. Real Voices

Help us tell more of the stories that matter

Become a founding member

France will next face the winners of the England versus Senegal game, being played later on Sunday.

Reporting by Steve Keating in Doha. Editing by Clare Fallon

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Subscribe to the newsletter news

We hate SPAM and promise to keep your email address safe