France advance to World Cup quarterfinals with record-breaking night
DOHA, Qatar (AP) — It all appears so simple — laughable, maybe — for Kylian Mbappé in the case of the World Cup.
The France ahead, who scored 4 targets when he led his nation to the title 4 years in the past as a 19-year-old phenom, placed on yet one more demonstration of how devastating he could be on the soccer area.
After it was over, Mbappé nearly appeared to be chuckling as Robert Lewandowski came visiting to congratulate him.
Mbappé scored two targets Sunday and arrange one other for Olivier Giroud to provide France a 3-1 victory over Poland and transfer the 2018 champions inside three wins of efficiently defending their title. He already has a tournament-best 5 targets in Qatar as Les Bleus have reached the quarterfinals for the third straight World Cup.
“The only objective for me is to win the World Cup,” Mbappé said. “The only thing I dream is this. I came here to win this World Cup. I didn’t come here to win the Golden Ball or Golden Boot. If I win it of course I’m going to be happy but that’s not why I’m here. I’m here to win and I’m here to help the French national team.”
Lewandowski, a two-time FIFA participant of the 12 months, scored from the penalty spot in second-half stoppage time for Poland.
France will play England for a spot within the semifinals. The English staff beat Senegal 3-0.
Mbappé scored his first purpose within the 74th minute when he was left unmarked to blast in a long-range shot following a counterattack. He added one other in stoppage time when Poland goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny might solely get a weak glove on one other highly effective shot from the person within the No. 10 shirt.
“He can change a match in just a moment and he’s always playing with such joy and we all want to share those smiles with him,” France coach Didier Deschamps mentioned. “France needed a great Kylian Mbappé tonight and they got one.”
Having additionally supplied two assists, Mbappé has simply been the best participant in Qatar.
After his newest exploits, Mbappé defined why he hadn’t addressed the media in Qatar earlier than Sunday.
“I needed to focus on the tournament and my soccer,” he mentioned by a translator, including that he had volunteered to pay a French federation nice for his silence. “When I wish to consider one thing that’s the way in which I perform. And that’s why I didn’t wish to come converse to you prior to now.
“I’ve been preparing for this tournament throughout the season, physically and mentally,” he added. “I wanted to be ready for this tournament and I am.”
Mbappé celebrated his second purpose by waving his arms for the gang to cheer louder. Then he hoisted himself up onto the crossbar shortly after the ultimate whistle in entrance of France’s celebrating followers.
Mbappé already has 9 profession World Cup targets and if he stays wholesome, he might in all probability play in one other three editions of soccer’s greatest occasion — which means he would possibly method the match’s profession scoring document held by Germany striker Miroslav Klose, who scored 16 targets over 4 World Cups.
“He hurt us today but I am cheering for him because he is a real star,” Poland coach Czesław Michniewicz mentioned by a translator. “I’m talking about (Lionel) Messi, (Cristiano) Ronaldo, Lewandowski. If someone is going to take over, I think Mbappé will be the player to be the best one (for) many years.”
No nation has repeated as World Cup champions in six a long time — since Brazil achieved the feat by claiming consecutive trophies in 1958 and 1962. Italy is the one different nation to have gained two straight, in 1934 and 1938.
While Lewandowski is a prolific scorer himself, he’s by no means come near profitable a significant title with a Poland staff that struggles to get him the ball.
Mbappé, against this, is supported by a big array of gifted gamers — regardless that half a dozen prime France gamers are out injured.
The French staff took the lead when Mbappé threaded a go to Giroud and the AC Milan striker shortly slotted the ball into the far nook. It was Giroud’s 52nd profession worldwide purpose — breaking a tie with Thierry Henry on France’s all-time scoring record.
After Mbappé leaped into Giroud’s arms to have a good time, pumping his fists, Giroud held up seven fingers to the cameras — 5 on one hand and two on the opposite for “52.”
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It’s all of the extra candy for Giroud as a result of he wasn’t even presupposed to be a starter on this 12 months’s squad till Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema was dominated out due to damage. Giroud additionally scored two targets in France’s opening 4-1 win over Australia.
On a record-setting evening for France, goalkeeper Hugo Lloris matched the nationwide staff mark of 142 appearances held by Lilian Thuram.
With two European groups taking part in, there weren’t all that many supporters of both nation inside Al Thumama Stadium apart from small pockets of France followers beating drums behind one purpose and red-and-white clad spectators chanting “Polska” behind the other purpose. There had been additionally loads of empty seats.
JEWELRY BREAK
Play was paused briefly within the first half when France defender Jules Kounde was instructed by a match official to take away two gold chains he was carrying.
France coach Didier Deschamps was requested if Kounde saved the chains on as a result of they displayed a rainbow image.
“I don’t know what was on his necklace,” Deschamps mentioned. “Jules is superstitious and he usually wears that necklace even in training.”
