France 3-1 Poland (Giroud 44′, Mbappe 74′, 90’+1 | Lewandowski 90’+9 pen)
One is the latest of bloomers, while his trusted sidekick was blessed with God-given footballing ability. Together, they are the deadliest and most unlikely strike partnership.
Things just happen for Olivier Giroud, who has enjoyed a remarkable Indian summer in his footballing career. He did not make his international debut until he was 25 and was labelled a “lamppost” in 2015 by Arsenal fans, who felt he offered their team nothing. Now he is the all-time top goalscorer for France.
Kylian Mbappé’s ascension to the top of the world game has been a very different story. The Paris Saint-Germain phenomenon has 63 caps before turning 24 – at this age Giroud was playing in the French second tier. The commonality between post-25 Giroud and embryonic Mbappé is goals. And lots of them.
One for Giroud, in what will likely his last tournament, and two stunning strikes for Mbappé helped France march on to the quarter-finals in ultra-comfort against Poland.
According to France Football, neither is even seen as France’s best striker. Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema’s injury, which many expected to hinder Les Bleus’ hopes of becoming the first country since Brazil in 1962 to retain the World Cup, could be a blessing in disguise.
Giroud’s first-half finish to set France on their way to victory over Poland, from Mbappé’s pass, took him above Thierry Henry and on to 52 international goals, and he was denied another in the second half as his sumptuous overhead kick was ruled out somewhat harshly.
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With Haaland taking to Premier League football like a duck to water, Mbappé keeps coming back. Even the best that international football has to offer have no answer. Both could top Ronaldo and Messi’s goal records before they turn 30 at this rate.
With three World Cup goals coming into the knockout stages of the World Cup, Mbappé arrowed home France’s second to kill off any faint Polish hopes of a comeback in the Al Thumama Stadium, rocketing the ball into the top corner with next to no back-lift, before another piercing goal flew in late on to complete his double. For context, Messi took 36 years to score a knockout goal at the World Cup, on his 1,000th career appearance. Mbappé, before turning 24, has five.
The stats make for remarkable reading, with the prince becoming king, game on game. Mbappé has scored five goals in four games at this World Cup, already surpassing his goal tally from his previous appearance in the tournament in 2018 – four goals in seven appearances. He is also the youngest French player on record, since 1966, to score and assist in a World Cup knockout stage game.
Giroud’s contribution to the unlikely love story cannot be overlooked. Giroud became the oldest player to score in the knockout stages of the World Cup since Roger Milla against Colombia in 1990.
“It was a great night for France,” said captain Hugo Lloris, who broke France’s appearance record in the match.
“Olivier is a great leader and a great example for younger generations. The most important is to stay consistent like he does. He does not want stay at this number [of goals].
“It is difficult to see the limit for Kylian. He is capable to break all records. It is amazing to have him in our team, there is great connection.”
The fallout from France’s shock exit to Switzerland at Euro 2020, when Mbappé missed the decisive penalty in the shootout, was severe, threatening to dismantle their previous good work.
Now, having hit top gear just at the right time, Mbappé and Giroud have the French back where their outrageously talented squad should be.
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