Brilliant Mbappe scores twice as France beat Poland to reach quarter-finals

France's Kylian Mbappe celebrates scoring their third goal at the FIFA World Cup 2022 Round of 16match of France v Poland at the Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar on 4 December, 2022Reuters

France beat Poland 3-1 in a record-smashing FIFA World Cup last-16 clash on Sunday that saw Olivier Giroud become France's outright all-time top scorer and Kylian Mbappe score a magnificent double.

France were relentless on the attack as they pushed for an opening goal but could not unlock a sturdy Poland until just before the break when Mbappe played a pin-point ball through to Giroud, who hammered it past a diving Wojciech Szczesny to claim his 52nd goal for Les Bleus.

France's Olivier Giroud celebrates scoring their first goal at the FIFA World Cup 2022 Round of 16 of France v Poland at the Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar on 4 December, 2022
Reuters

Holders France continued to press after the break, with Giroud almost netting a second when he flicked Jules Kounde's cross just past the near post.

But Mbappe did not miss in the 74th minute, unleashing a missile from just inside the penalty area that shot into the top corner.

Mbappe was not done, adding a second goal in stoppage time with another screamer to seal the win and take his total for the tournament to five.

Poland's Robert Lewandowski scores their first goal from the penalty spot
Reuters

Poland got a consolation goal from a Robert Lewandowski penalty.

France will next face the winners of the England versus Senegal game, being played later on Sunday.