Olivier Giroud becomes France’s all-time top scorer with 52 goals, passing Thierry Henry’s record after 3-1 victory against Poland in the last 16.
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France went in as favourites in the game as the 2018 World Cup champions faced against second place of Group C, Poland. The Polish just managed to go through to the Round of 16 on goal difference as Saudi Arabia broke Mexican hearts.
Both teams needed redemption of a win as France shockingly lost their previous game against Tunisia despite still topping Group D along with Poland who lost 2-0 in their last group stage in Group C game against Argentina.
France had started the game as the more dominant team with chances coming from different angles as it kept the Juventus goalkeeper, Wojciech Szczesny, very busy.
Just before the half-an-hour mark, Ousmane Dembele fired a low cross towards the back post as Giroud managed to get contact to the ball but could not convert it in the goal despite being so close to the Polish goal.
The Polish Eagles came close to taking the lead as a low ball into the French area saw Piotr Zielinski’s powerful shot go straight towards Lloris who made a great save. A couple of seconds later the ball had to be blocked off the line by Manchester United defender Raphael Varane.
The deadlock would eventually break just before half-time as Kylian Mbappe would assist the nation’s all-time goal scorer, Olivier Giroud, striking the ball into the bottom corner and out of reach for the Polish keeper.
Both teams would keep making opportunities with France coming ever so close from scoring a second of the match. Les Bleus would then get their two-goal cushion in the 74th minute after Dembele found Kylian Mbappe in a lot of space to then terrifically strike the ball into the top corner. This would make Mbappe the current top scorer of the World Cup.
France would the extend their lead in stoppage time with PSG striker scoring a brace in the match with another stunning goal as he managed to curl the ball into the far top right corner with Szczesny only able to get fingertips onto the ball.
The Polish fans would have something to cheer about in the game as a penalty would be awarded after a VAR review for a handball from Dayot Upamecano.
Robert Lewandowski stepped up to the penalty spot with his attempt being poorly taken as Lloris saved the ball but due to the French goalkeeper being way off his line. The Barcelona striker had a second chance to deny France a clean sheet as he strook the ball into the bottom corner, grabbing his second ever World Cup goal.
France progress to the Quarter-Finals of the World Cup as they look to face the Three Lions, England on 10th December.
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