Follow Us on Google News
Olivier Giroud became France’s all-time top scorer as the World Cup holders eased past Poland to reach the quarterfinals in World Cup last-16 clash on Sunday.
Holders France dominated the opening exchanges and Poland goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny denied Aurelien Tchouameni and Ousmane Dembele before Kylian Mbappe set up Giroud to fire home in the 44th minute.
The AC Milan striker scored his 52nd goal for France to claim the country’s outright record, surpassing the great Thierry Henry.
The historic goal came on the stroke of half-time after Giroud controlled Kylian Mbappe’s pass before converting low into the net beyond the reach of Wojciech Szczesny.
But having provided the assist for the first goal, the brilliant Mbappe turned on the style by scoring two fabulous strikes in the second half.
He hit a powerful drive into the roof of the net from 16 yards for his first and curled home a wonderful second in injury time to take the lead in the Golden Boot race with five goals.
Didier Deschamps’ side had been left frustrated up until the opener and could well have fallen behind.
Poland’s best opening in the first half came when the ball dropped for Piotr Zielinski in the center of the penalty area, but his strike was straight at Hugo Lloris.
Robert Lewandowski did manage a consolation for the Poles, rolling in a penalty with the last kick of the game.
