France 3-1 Poland: Player ratings as Mbappe scores twice & Giroud makes history
Olivier Giroud became France's all-time men's record international goalscorer and Kylian Mbappe scored twice as their strikes saw off Poland to earn the reigning champions a place in the 2022 World Cup quarter finals.
Former Arsenal and Chelsea striker Giroud collected Mbappe's pass to fire beyond Wojciech Szczesny. Mbappe smashed in the second on the counter attack before a stoppage-time third - another wonderful Mbappe effort - wrapped up the victory.
Poland showed a little more intent than they did in their tough-to-watch group stage games but only got a consolation from the penalty spot as Robert Lewandowski rolled one in late on.
The early exchanges saw Raphael Varane head an Antoine Griezmann corner wide before Aurelien Tchouameni brought a save from Szczesny with a strike from distance.
Elder statesman Grzegorz Krychowiak carelessly lost possession to allow Ousmane Dembele to drive at goal. The Barcelona winger cut in onto his left foot but his shot failed to trouble Szczesny.
Les Bleus' attacking intent continued as a floated ball forward from Tchouameni found Griezmann, whose clever backheel forced Szczesny into action before Kamil Glik cleared the danger.
Poland did attempt to press high in the early exchanges but only got a first clear sight of the 21st minute, though Lewandowski's ambitious shot from distance never looked like troubling Hugo Lloris.
Giroud sliced a fizzed Dembele cross wide of the post from close range - Dembele was flagged offside - before France escaped a goal-mouth scramble in front of their own net shortly before half time.
Lloris was needed to bat away Piotr Zielinski's drive before the Napoli midfielder's rebound effort was blocked by Theo Hernandez. Varane then diverted Jakub Kaminski's strike away from goal as France eventually cleared their lines.
France ramped up the pressure before half time and got the breakthrough as Giroud made history. Mbappe slipped in the AC Milan striker and he finished superbly across Szczesny for his 52nd senior international goal, surpassing the great Thierry Henry at the top of France's scoring charts.
The reigning world champions came close to extending their lead at the start of the second half as Mbappe cut inside and saw his shot deflect off Krychowiak, bouncing inches wide of the post.
Poland pressed without creating chances through the second half and the result was wrapped up with more than 15 minutes to play as Mbappe struck on the counter.
Les Bleus exploited Poland on the counter as Giroud released Dembele. He found the free Mbappe, who took his time to pick his spot, giving Szczesny no chance by hammering into the top corner.
Poland were given a parting gift on their way out of the World Cup by Mbappe in second-half stoppage time. Substitute Marcus Thuram gave him the ball and the 23-year-old picked out the top corner to make it 3-0.
The two strikes took Mbappe clear at the top of the 2022 World Cup scoring charts with five goals. Lewandowski did net a penalty after Dayot Upamecano was penalised for handball - needing a second bite after Lloris came off his line - but it meant little as France surged on in their title defence.
France player ratings (4-2-3-1)
GH: Hugo Lloris - 4/10 - A vital stop from Zielinski was overshadowed by some increasingly sketchy handling and kicking. Almost got a penalty save but was off his line and beaten by the retake.
RB: Jules Kounde - 6/10 - Somehow made it onto the field with a golden chain around his neck. Kept things tight on his side without offering too much in attack.
CB: Raphael Varane - 7/10 - Vital clearance off the line prevented Poland from taking the lead. Rarely gave the ball away.
CB: Dayot Upamecano - 7/10 - On hand to scramble away a couple of dangerous Poland opportunities.
LB: Theo Hernandez - 7/10 - Blocked a shot in the heat of Poland's goal-mouth opportunities. A few shots in attack.
CM: Aurelien Tchouameni - 7/10 - Harshly booked in the first half. Early strike from distance was on target but not threatening. A couple of inventive passes forward.
CM: Adrien Rabiot - 6/10 - Didn't join attacks as much as he would have liked but was workmanlike in midfield.
AM: Antoine Griezmann - 7/10 - Lost the ball a little frequently but was never too far away whenever any scraps for possession.
RW: Ousmane Dembele - 7/10 - Shot straight at Szczesny when well placed. Made the difference with a precise ball for Mbappe to score the second.
LW: Kylian Mbappe - 9/10 - Played in Giroud who finished clinically. Got more and more opportunities to stretch his legs as Poland chased an equaliser. Everything fell into place when he grabbed France's second on the counter with a brilliant finish into the top corner. Was just taking the mickey with his brilliant second.
ST: Olivier Giroud - 7/10 - Kept his cool to slot in the opener and cement his place as France's record men's goalscorer. Involved in the second goal.
Substitutes
SUB: Youssouf Fofana (66' for Tchouameni) - 6/10
SUB: Marcus Thuram (76' for Giroud) - 7/10
SUB: Kingsley Coman (76' for Dembele) - 6/10
SUB: Axel Disasi (90' for Kounde) - N/A
Manager
Didier Deschamps - 7/10 - Went back to his favoured XI after the loss to Tunisia and got a functional display out of it. May be worried at how much France's attacking displays depend on Mbappe, but it's another World Cup quarter final.
Poland player ratings (4-1-4-1)
GK: Wojciech Szczesny - 7/10 - Was required frequently in the first half to prevent France from surging into the lead.
RB: Matty Cash - 5/10 - Given the unenviable task of playing opposite Mbappe. Made two expert recoveries challenges on the PSG forward but was a tough outing for the most part.
CB: Kamil Glik - 7/10 - Made a couple of vital last-ditch interventions to stop France getting in on goal.
CB: Jakub Kiwior - 5/10 - Was beaten by Giroud who got his shot away to score.
LB: Bartosz Bereszynski - 6/10 - Unlucky to get a booking when he seemed to win the ball off Dembele.
DM: Grzegorz Krychowiak - 5/10 - Looked quite sluggish in the face of some quicker and sharper midfielders. Few sloppy giveaways in possession.
RM: Jakub Kaminski - 5/10 - Had one or two threatening moments in attack but had to do a lot of backtracking in defence.
CM: Piotr Zielinski - 6/10 - Had two glaring opportunities within seconds but was denied by Lloris and Varane.
CM: Sebastian Szymanski - 6/10 - Lung-busting run back saw him deny Mbappe a shot on goal at the last second.
LM: Przemyslaw Frankowski - 6/10 - Got clear down the left to set up Zielinski's two chances. Final ball just evaded him.
ST: Robert Lewandowski - 6/10 - Scuppered a few excellent chances when Poland got brief opportunities in transition. A late consolation from the spot earned Poland something.
Substitutes
SUB: Arkadiusz Milik (64' for Szymanski) - 5/10
SUB: Nicola Zalewski (71' for Kaminski) - 5/10
SUB: Krystian Bielik (71' for Krychowiak) - 5/10
SUB: Jan Bednarek (87' for Kiwior) - N/A
SUB: Kamil Grosicki (87' for Frankowski) - N/A
Manager
Czeslaw Michniewicz - 5/10 - Poland opened up slightly more than their group stage matches. However, their main aim was only to hang on in there and pray for a Lewandowski chance.