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FIFA World Cup 2022, Round of 16: Olivier Giroud, Kylian Mbappe star as France crush Poland 3-1 (Image Source: Twitter)
The world’s biggest sporting event, the FIFA World Cup 2022, hosted by Qatar, kicked off on November 20 and the Round of 16 stage kicked off on December 4, Saturday. On Sunday, it was France and Poland who faced off against each other in the knockout match.
Eventually, it was a hard-fought first half for both teams, although it was the Les Bleus who took the lead at the stroke of the first-half whistle. Olivier Giroud, the star player from France, scored a goal in the 44th minute and put Poland on the back foot right away. At the end of the first 45 minutes, the match looked equally poised, although it was France who dominated the game through the end of the half. Eventually, the scoreline remained at 1-0 in France’s favour before the start of the deciding half.
France's magic touch in FIFA World Cup 2022 continues
Regarding the second half, it kicked off with France carrying on the momentum from the initial half. Notably, they were brimming with confidence and started creating chances right away, including a bicycle kick from Giroud that went in vain, while the Polish side looked a bit rusty, but managed to play with better intent than in the first 45 minutes. Fans, on the other hand, awaited the winner and one has to agree that most of them backed the Les Bleus to take the win.
Poland, on the other hand, were facing a possible exit and started doubling their efforts towards the 70-minute mark, as the scoreline remained unchanged. However, France were thriving on the other hand and left no stone unturned to let their opponents match the lead. Eventually, Kylian Mbappe doubled the lead in the 74th minute and went on to score a brace in the extra time past the 90-minute mark and it was the beginning of the French dominance in the knockouts.
France were absolutely crushing Poland post Mbappe's goal and there was no hope for Poland to make a comeback in the game. Eventually, it was the French camp who had the last laugh as they won the game with a scoreline of 3-1, as the Polish side were given a penalty chance right at the stroke of the final whitsle.