France 3-1 Poland: It's the Kylian Mbappe show as superstar scores TWO brilliant goals to send the world champions to the quarter-finals after Olivier Giroud's opener... with Robert Lewandowski netting a late consolation from the penalty spot
- Kylian Mbappe netted twice as France beat Poland 3-1 to reach the quarter-finals
- Olivier Giroud opened the scoring as he became France's all-time record scorer
- Star man Mbappe devastated Poland in the second-half with two superb goals
- Robert Lewandowski scored from the spot in injury time with a retaken penalty
- The World Cup holders will now play England in the last eight on Saturday night
- PLAYER RATINGS: Mbappe takes tally to FIVE in Qatar as Giroud also impresses
- Click here for the latest World Cup 2022 news, fixtures, live action and results
There were times when Kylian Mbappe seemed, in his mind's eye, to be back in Paris's 19th arrondissement, waving his foot over the ball, playing with defenders, a million options and all the time he needed to select one.
Then there were the thunderbolts: two shots of such power with such minimal back-lift after intuitive movement which bought him all the time in the world.
For the first goal, the ball was despatched at a frightening 81mph per hour. Wojciech Szczesny will just tell you that he blinked and it was past him at his near post.
![Kylian Mbappe scored twice as France triumphed 2-0 against Poland in the last-16 on Sunday](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/04/16/65226395-11495109-image-a-69_1670172799047.jpg)
Kylian Mbappe scored twice as France triumphed 2-0 against Poland in the last-16 on Sunday
![The PSG striker was once again the star of the show and he will relish the battle with England](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/04/22/65234267-11495109-image-a-36_1670194798809.jpg)
The PSG striker was once again the star of the show and he will relish the battle with England
![Both of his goals showed immense power and skill as he toyed with Poland's hapless defence](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/04/23/65234243-11495109-image-a-37_1670194802444.jpg)
Both of his goals showed immense power and skill as he toyed with Poland's hapless defence
After the second - a ball eased back in front of Kamil Glik and punched, hard and fast, beyond the 6ft 4in frame of an in-form goalkeeper - Mbappe made a pistol gesture, though it was more sophisticated than gunfire.
He'd stolen around the edge of the area so that two defenders had lost any sense of him when he fastened on to the ball. A moment's hesitation, a fractional mental hesitancy, and you're done for with him.
We do now know a little more about the courage needed to be taken for any team trying to stop France. The errors they're capable of when you press them high up the pitch. The occasional loose pass as they try to play out.
![Olivier Giroud opened the scoring just before the break after Poland impressed in the first-half](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/04/17/65225517-11495109-image-a-76_1670173537312.jpg)
Olivier Giroud opened the scoring just before the break after Poland impressed in the first-half
There was a dropped Hugo Lloris ball just before half-time. Jules Kounde spent more time taking off his rainbow necklace than dealing with Poland's right wing-back Bartosz Bereszynski, who danced past him to create a chance which Lloris repelled with his knees.
There is the perennial French anxiety. Their people know that they are always only ever one game away from an unlikely exit.
'Always hesitating between the suitcases and the great adventure,' as one of their writers put it.
But that seems to be clutching at straws. Perhaps the shrewdest assessment in the aftermath was Polish manager Czeslaw Michniewicz's definition on how to solve the Mbappe conundrum: 'I asked more players to approach him, to stop him. But there's no recipe. No coach knows a recipe to stop Mbappe in the form he is in now.'
The 23-year-old delivered as he did because of those around him, in a team whose balance is one of its finest qualities. There was Antoine Griezmann, switched from his usual forward's role to a midfield position to supply him. That axis wasn't working until Didier Deschamps switched Griezmann to the right in the second half.
![The striker became France's all-time record goal-scorer with 52 goals ahead of Thierry Henry](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/04/17/65225241-11495109-image-a-77_1670173575254.jpg)
The striker became France's all-time record goal-scorer with 52 goals ahead of Thierry Henry
![Aston Villa's Matty Cash had a tiresome evening as he had to contend with Mbappe's pace](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/04/23/65234263-11495109-image-a-38_1670195283186.jpg)
Aston Villa's Matty Cash had a tiresome evening as he had to contend with Mbappe's pace
There was Olivier Giroud, fed by Mbappe for an opening goal which took him past Thierry Henry as France's record goalscorer. 'Both need each other,' Deschamps said of Giroud and Mbappe.
But it's very hard to look beyond the man himself. One of the Poles had said before this game that you would need a motorbike to stop him and everyone on Mbappe's side of the pitch knew exactly what he meant. Particularly Aston Villa's Matty Cash, who had his Polish maternal grandparents to thank for this unenviable challenge.
Polish intentions were perfectly fine and reasonable on what happened to be Miners' Day in their homeland. Dig in. But at one point in the first half, retreating defender Przemyslaw Frankowski had a five-yard head start on Mbappe and still lost the race.
Yet it wasn't even Mbappe's pace which broke the Polish resistance, just before half-time. He'd dropped innocuously into one of the central corridors from which France had not been getting much joy, when he threaded the ball through two defenders to find Giroud. The striker did well to wrap his left foot around the ball and navigate in his record-breaking goal.
![Hugo Lloris also matched Lilian Thuram's all-time appearances record for France with 142 caps](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/04/17/65223703-11495109-image-a-78_1670173604845.jpg)
Hugo Lloris also matched Lilian Thuram's all-time appearances record for France with 142 caps
Giroud gestured the number - '52' - and it's some accomplishment for a player who has not always been appreciated.
Some of the frustrations of old were evident in him. Three balls into the six-yard box would have been finished by more clinical forwards. But the man has an intelligence which told hugely in the moments before Mbappe's first strike.
Taking down a ball heaved out of defence by Griezmann, he powered into Polish territory, drawing attention to Ousmane Dembele, by finding him on the right, and away from Mbappe, who despatched the ball like an Exocet when it reached him.
Marcus Thuram beat Cash on the wing and found Mbappe in the box for the third. He took a touch to get himself free and curled the ball into the far top corner.
Robert Lewandowski, a relatively marginal figure, scored from the penalty spot at the end - a retake after Lloris moved a foot off his line when saving the first.
![Mbappe dazzled Poland's defense in the second-half and doubled the lead in the 75th minute](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/04/17/65226591-11495109-image-a-79_1670173788615.jpg)
Mbappe dazzled Poland's defence in the second-half and doubled the lead in the 75th minute
![He curled a sensational effort past Wojciech Szczesny in injury time to seal the victory](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/04/17/65226577-11495109-image-a-80_1670173829375.jpg)
He then curled a sensational effort past Wojciech Szczesny in injury time to seal the victory
The man of the moment wore an uncompromising look when he arrived in the press conference room.
He volunteered to say that he had avoided a previous appearance here because he only had thoughts for the football, not journalists, and would pay the fine.
'I came here to win the World Cup, not a Golden Ball or a Golden Boot,' was his curt reply when that subject came up.
Boy has become man in the space of four years. He seems capable of taking France wherever they want to go.
![Robert Lewandowski scored a late penalty, which was retaken after Lloris' initial save](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/04/17/65226705-11495109-image-a-84_1670174236321.jpg)
Robert Lewandowski scored a late penalty, which was retaken after Lloris' initial save
RE-CAP: Sportsmail's live blog for the World Cup last-16 clash between France and Poland.
France head into the quarter-finals with ease in the end, thanks to record breakers Mbappe and Giroud.
Read Sportsmail's full report above.
90+9': Lewandowksi tries his stutter run-up again and this time it works, as he slots the ball into Lloris' right corner.
90+8': A miserable effort from Lewandowski is saved from the spot.
It looks like it's going to be retaken, as Lloris was off his line.
90+6': The referee heads to the monitor as VAR check for a potential handball on Upamecano.
90+5': Right at the death, Milik tries a speculative overhead kick, which is saved by Lloris, and it's eventually adjudged offside.
90+1': This man is unstoppable. Mbappe takes his World Cup tally to five as he curves a sumptuous effort past Szczesny to seal a triumphant victory for France.
Incredible...
88' - As the game winds down, Cash brings down Thuram on the counter attack and picks up a yellow card as a result.
82' - Mbappe ducks and weaves through the Polish defence again into the penalty area but just overhits one of his touches. Hernandez is there to pick up the loose pieces, but he fires his effort well over the bar.
Mbappe walks away with a huge grin plastered on his face. Fair to say he's in the mood today.
First Giroud, now Mbappe...
Mbappe becomes the first ever player to score eight World Cup goals before his 24th birthday.
Inevitable.
77' - Deschamps rests some of his big hitters, taking Dembele and Giroud off for Coman and Thuram.
75' - You'd imagine that's that! A thunderous effort from Mbappe after some shoddy defending from Poland.
France break in numbers as Dembele chops inside and draws the entire Polish back line with him, leaving Mbappe in acres of space on the left.
He has a lot to do still but drills the ball past Szczesny in emphatic fashion. 2-0 to the world champions!
71' - Great play from Lewandowski as he wins a free-kick from Upamecano, but Glik can't quite direct his header on target from the set-piece.
Meanwhile, Bielik and Zalewski come on for Kaminski and Krychowiak as Poland opt for changes.
68' - Frankowski whips a dangerous ball towards the back post but Hernandez deals with the danger well, out-muscling Kaminski as he rises to head the ball.
66' - Youssef Fofana replaces Tchouameni in the midfield.
65' - Michniewicz makes a positive change as striker Milik comes on for Szymanski.
63' - Mbappe plays a neat one-two with Dembele in the penalty area but can't get his feet sorted to fire a meaningful effort on goal. His strike spoons high into the air.
61' - France break at pace through Griezmann as the forward threads a ball through to Dembele on the right, who cuts it back to Mbappe on the edge of the area.
Mbappe takes a touch to set himself but takes a tad too long and Szymanski comes in to snatch possession.
Good awareness there from Szymanski.
58' - Szczesny punches and flattens Cash and Varane in the process, prompting the referee to blow for a head injury scare.
Just after the whistle goes, Giroud finds the net with a brilliant overhead kick, but it's rightly disallowed as a result.
56' - Krychowiak gives the ball away poorly in midfield, and Griezmann finds Mbappe on the left.
He cuts in and fires an effort on goal outside the box, which hits Glik and almost deflects in past the already-committed Szczesny, but it just heads behind for a corner.
55' - Griezmann breaks this time as gaps start appearing in the Polish defence, and the forward drills a pass towards Mbappe at the far post.
Glik is there to clear behind, but this is a worrying spell for the underdogs...
53' - Cash overcommits again and leaves Glik isolated against Mbappe, as the forward plays Hernandez through on the overlap.
Fortunately for Poland, Bereszynski is there to cut out and clear Hernandez's cut back, staying switched on by the penalty spot.
51' - Cash commits high up the pitch and leaves Mbappe, and France instantly target their star man as soon as they win back the ball.
In what first looked a dangerous position for France, Mbappe takes a heavy touch and Glik lunges in to stop him just inside the Polish half.
48' - Griezmann goes for goal from the wide free-kick and Szczesny punches the ball clear of the box.
47' - Dembele powers past Bereszynski on the right wing and dives in, bringing down the Frenchman.
He concedes a free-kick in a dangerous area and picks up a yellow, but replays show that he did get a toe to the ball.
Bad luck there for Bereszynski...
46' - Zielinski gets us underway in the second-half.
As we wait for the second-half to kick-off, read Sportsmail's full story on Olivier Giroud below.
A killer blow for Poland at the end of the half as France go in ahead thanks to record goal-scorer Olivier Giroud.
The underdogs have looked much better today but still head in behind. They're going to need a big response after half-time to turn this one around.
45+1: Kaminski has a snap shot in the area and the deflection takes the ball into the side netting.
Lloris spills the ball from the following corner, but France get away with the error.
44' - There it is! France take the lead.
Giroud doesn't need a second invitation. The forward hangs on the Polish line as Mbappe threads a smart ball through, and he finishes the effort with aplomb.
He's now France's all-time record goal-scorer.
43' - Bizarre moment as Kounde is stopped by the linesman before taking his throw-in, as officials notice he has a gold chain round his neck.
He's asked to remove it, which he does, and the game continues...
We've seen everything at this World Cup, haven't we?
40' - Mbappe wriggles past Krychowiak in the middle of Poland's half, and the midfielder tugs his shirt to bring him down.
Poland deal with the initial danger from the free-kick, but France regain possession.
38' - Lloris makes a huge save for the holders as Zielinski drills a shot from inside the box. Kaminski follows up the rebound for Poland, but his effort is blocked by Hernandez and France survive.
Massive chance there for the underdogs!
36' - Mbappe slaloms past Cash in the area and thunders an effort towards goal. It ripples the side-netting, bringing about a momentary cheer from the French.
Still 0-0, for now!
34' - Zielinski finds Cash in acres of space on the right flank and the full-back shoots from a long way out, hoping that one of his on-rushing team-mates directs it towards goal.
It heads out for a goal kick.
33' - Lewandowski tamely fires his free-kick into the wall. Disappointing at best.
He won't get many chances to test Lloris tonight...
32' - Frankowski drives past Kounde and forces Tchouameni to intervene, and the midfielder bundles him over. Yellow card and a free-kick in a great position for Lewandowski.
29' - The wait for Giroud goes on!
Griezmann slots Dembele through on the right side of the box and he pass the ball across goal towards Giroud, who slides and is not quite able to direct the ball goalwards.
It has to go down as a big miss for the forward, but Dembele could have made it easier for him with a better pass. Poland survive!
27' - Mbappe puts the burners on on the break and absolutely roars past Frankowski on the left flank, sending the French crowd into an excitable frenzy.
Poland recover a double-up on the star forward, just managing to toe the ball back to the goalkeeper.
The warning signs are there...
25' - Poland enjoy a spell of possession and manage to find Lewandowski in the area. The striker is so tightly marked that he has to offload to Zielinski, and the attack breaks down.
Considering Lewandowski hardly touched the ball in Argentina's half last game, this is a good spell for the Poles.
23' - As Poland's attack breaks down, France aim straight for Mbappe, who spins in behind and looks as though he wins a yard over Cash at right back.
But the Polish full-back stays switched on and just has enough pace to intercept the pass, regaining possession for Poland.
21' - Poland's high press fashions a chance for Lewandowski to fire from distance, and the Polish hitman takes aim and narrowly drills his left-footed long-shot wide of Lloris between the sticks.
A half-chance there for Poland...
19' - Lewandowski looks for a second as though he's going to pip France's last defender Upamecano to the ball, but the centre-half makes a well-timed sliding tackle to quell the danger.
Poland are clearly looking to pinch the ball from France's defenders at every opportunity.
16' - Krychowiak tussles with Rabiot in the middle of Poland's half and rightly wins a free-kick to release the pressure.
Straightaway, the Poles lose possession and Dembele fires a shot from outside the box towards goal, but Szczesny holds with an important save.
14' - Kaminski does brilliantly to ride a couple of challenges in midfield, but as he breaks into the French half, he can only see a heavily marked Lewandowski in support.
Hernandez tackles the Pole and France regroup comfortably.
13' - Tchouameni fires a speculative effort from distance and Szczesny parries it clear fairly comfortably.
I imagine that won't be the only important save he makes today...
11' - Mbappe rips around Cash again and thunders another low cross towards the back post, and Dembele manages to control the ball. As he lets off a quick shot on goal, Bereszynski puts in an important block.
Poland under heavy fire already!
9' - Mbappe uses his pace to race past Cash on the left flank and teases a ball to the back post. Bereszynski's diving header puts the ball behind for a corner, which Poland manage to deal with.
7' - Hernandez concedes a foul on Kaminski as he goes in rather too forcefully for a header on the halfway line.
5' - Great high press from Poland nearly catches Lloris and Upamecano napping, as a sea of white charges at them in their own penalty box.
An interesting strategy from the Poles, but France have shown the ability so far to evade the press...
3' - Poland park the bus instantly and look to play France with physicality.
Griezmann whips in a corner and Varane climbs highest to meet it, but his header thumps wide to the relief of Czeslaw Michniewicz on the touchline.
2' - Griezmann's delivery from the set-piece is far too long and goes out for a goal kick...
1' - Early foul conceded by Bereszynski as he bundles into Griezmann. Free-kick for France in a dangerous position.
1' - Olivier Giroud gets us underway at the Al Thumama Stadium.
The teams are out, the national anthems are in progress and the Al Thumama Stadium is ready to stage what promises to be an exciting last-16 spectacle.
Here we go!
Only 10 minutes left until kick off at the Al Thumama Stadium!
Stay tuned...
Rio Ferdinand hasn't seen enough from Poland to think they can cause an upset against France.
The BBC pundit wasn't too impressed by Poland's form in the group stage and thinks they need to play to Robert Lewandowski's strengths more.
He said before the match: 'I've seen nothing to suggest they'll get a result. They're too conservative. [Lewandowski] He needs more support.'
Olivier Giroud remains just one goal away of surpassing Thierry Henry as France's all-time goal scorer, and he'll be eager to chalk that record off today in pursuit of his second World Cup trophy.
Both he and Henry are tied on 51, with Antoine Griezmann on 42, Michel Platini on 41 and Karim Benzema on 37.
Arsene Wenger has taken a swipe at those who took a stance on political issues at the World Cup, claiming they underperformed on the pitch.
The former Arsenal manager, who is a FIFA's head of global football development, triggered outrage on social media with an unprompted dig at a press conference following the conclusion of the group stage in Qatar.
Read Sportsmail's full story below:
Not long now until kick-off and the French fans are in full voice outside the stadium!
France captain Hugo Lloris, who has been named in today's starting lineup, will earn his 142nd cap for Les Blues against the Poles.
It makes him the most capped French player in the country's history, level with Lilian Thuram.
Poland XI vs France: Szczesny, Bereszynski, Kiwior, Glik, Cash, Frankowski, S. Szymanski, Krychowiak, Zielinski, Kaminski, Lewandowski
As expected for the Poles, who'll be looking for an upset against the defending champions.
Arsene Wenger has dared to look ahead to a collision between England and his native France, two teams he considers capable of going all the way in this World Cup.
'If all goes to plan these two favourites England and France might meet,' said Wenger, the former Arsenal boss now chief of FIFA's global football development, as England prepared for Senegal and France for Poland in the last 16.
'It's never as easy as looks on paper,' he added, noting how Argentina were pushed all the way by Australia on Saturday, but the 73-year-old expects those nations with the strongest squads to go furthest in Qatar.
Read Sportsmail's full story below.
With the group stage done and dusted, Sportsmail forged the World Cup's team of the tournament so far based on players' average match ratings.
France's Mbappe leads the line next to Holland's Cody Gakpo and he's joined by a Pole - but it's not Lewandowski!
Take a look at our Group Stage XI below!
France boss Didier Deschamps has warned his side to be wary of Lewandowski, who 'just needs one chance' to make a huge impact on the game.
Lewandowski scored his first ever World Cup goal against Saudi Arabia last week and will hope to add to his account against the reigning champions today.
Read Sportsmail's full story below:
Here's how Mbappe and Lewandowski have fared in Europe's top five leagues since 2021-22.
Only one can get through to the World Cup quarter-finals. Who will get there?
Mbappe
Goals: 40
Assists: 19
Shots: 207
Shots on target: 97
Chances created: 96
Lewandowski
Goals: 48
Assists: 7
Shots: 212
Shots on target: 110
Chances created: 52
Stats provided by Squawka
He's already saved a Lionel Messi this tournament. Now he's looking to defy France's monstrous weapon - Kylian Mbappe.
The Polish stop thinks he's the key to stopping the French superstar. You can't argue with his confidence!
Read Sportsmail's full story below.
Right, let's not get ahead of ourselves... Senegal presents a BIG challenge for England and it would be wrong to spend too much time looking beyond the round of 16 at this stage.
However, what we do know is that the winner of France vs Poland will play the victor of England vs Senegal in the quarter-finals.
Sportsmail's Danny Murphy takes a look a key match-up should favourites England and France advance. Read the full story below...
Kylian Mbappe has been deliberately hiding Budweiser's name in his man of the match photographs to avoid promoting alcohol at the World Cup, according to reports.
Mbappe, who has been awarded with the match trophy on two occasions already this tournament, does not want to be associated with the World Cup's main sponsor Budweiser.
He's certainly a contender to win the man of the match award this afternoon, but Budweiser will be hoping he has an off day!
Read Sportsmail's full story below:
France's positive start to the World Cup gifted Didier Deschamps the chance to rotate against Tunisia, following wins against Denmark and Australia.
Star man Kylian Mbappe dropped to the bench against Tunisia alongside Antoine Griezmann, Ousmane Dembele and Olivier Giroud, but the defending champions looked vulnerable as a result and lost 1-0 to the African side.
Short-term loss for long-term gain was arguably the strategy here, and France head into the clash with Poland fully rested.
This could be a long and tricky afternoon for the Poles...
Where's the match? How can I watch it? Who's in the squad? How many times have Poland caused an upset against France at a major tournament?
Sportsmail has answers to all of your questions ahead of the last-16 clash. Take a look below!
Hello!
France and Poland both head into the knockouts having suffered defeats in their last matches, but with Didier Deschamps set to recall his full-strength side, the defending world champions head into the clash at the Al Thumama Stadium as overwhelming favourites.
Both sides are blessed with a world-class forward in Kylian Mbappe and Robert Lewandowski, and each superstar will be hoping they can play a major part in booking a spot in the quarter-finals.
Stay tuned for updates, news and match action as Sportsmail's keeps you in the know with live coverage throughout the day.
Most watched Sport videos
- Giants fans burn quarterback Daniel Jones' jersey after loss
- Montenegro fans create distraction from football with fireworks
- Las Vegas Raiders fan body slams a woman during brawl
- Awkward moment footy great can't pronounce NRL player's name
- Johnny Gaudreau's wife Meredith announces she is pregnant
- Moment Miami Dolphin's Tyreek Hill is arrested by police
- Jason Kelce bares all with ex-Eagles teammate in revealing beer ad
- Shocking bodycam of Tyreek Hill arrest released by Miami-Dade PD
- Woman exposes NRL boyfriend for leaving her for another
- Ireland fans mock Queen's death aiming chants at England fans
- John Hunt makes a poignant return to the commentary box at Brighton
- Tyreek Hill speeds by police before cops aggressively pull him over
Host commentator