Defending Champion France beats Poland 3-1 at world Cup, Kylian Mbappe scored 2 goals and assist the third for Olivier Giroud. In the final moments of the game, Poland was awarded a penalty for a handball against France in the box. Robert Lewandowski stepped up to the spot. France’s goalie Hugo Lloris stopped the first attempt but was off his line too early. Lewandowski got a second crack and scored to make it 3-1. The associated Press has the story:
Kylian Mbappé, France past Poland 3-1 at World Cup
France’s Olivier Giroud celebrates scoring his team’s first goal against Poland on Sunday. (Kirill Kudryavtsev/AFP/Getty Images)
In the first half, French striker Olivier Giroud opened the scoring. It was Giroud’s 52nd goal for his country, allowing him to pass Thierry Henry as France’s all-time leading goal-scorer.
France’s Kylian Mbappe, left, scores his side’s second goal during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between France and Poland, at the Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022. (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan)
In the second half, 24-year-old sensation Kylian Mbappé doubled the French advantage when he found the back of the net.
France’s Olivier Giroud scores the opening goal during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between France and Poland, at the Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
Then in stoppage time, it was Mbappé again. In the 90th minute, he found the back of the net for the fifth time in the tournament.
France’s Olivier Giroud celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between France and Poland, at the Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
The young superstar’s five goals in World Cup 2022 thus far lead the golden boot race.
France’s Olivier Giroud celebrates with France’s Kylian Mbappe, after scoring the opening goal during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between France and Poland, at the Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
In the final moments of the game, Poland was awarded a penalty for a handball against France in the box. Robert Lewandowski stepped up to the spot. Hugo Lloris stopped the first attempt but was off his line too early. Lewandowski got a second crack and scored to earn Poland a consolation goal.
France’s Olivier Giroud, left, celebrates with France’s Kylian Mbappe, after scoring the opening goal during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between France and Poland, at the Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
The French will face the winner of our next match — England vs Senegal — on Saturday.
France’s Aurelien Tchouameni, left, fights for the ball with Poland’s Robert Lewandowski during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between France and Poland, at the Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)
The Paris Saint-German forward now has a tournament-leading five goals and the 2018 champions are within three wins of defending their title.
Soccer fans pose with pictures of France’s Kylian Mbappe and France’s goalkeeper Hugo Lloris ahead of the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between France and Poland, at the Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
Robert Lewandowski scored from the penalty spot in second-half stoppage time for Poland.
France’s funs wait for he start of the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between France and Poland, at the Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022. (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan)
No country has repeated as World Cup champions in six decades — since Brazil achieved the feat by claiming consecutive trophies in 1958 and 1962. Italy is the only other nation to have won two straight, in 1934 and 1938.
A soccer fan arrives to watch the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between France and Poland, at the Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
France’s quarterfinal opponent will be either England or Senegal.
France’s soccer fans arrive for the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between France and Poland, at the Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
