Football World Cup 2022: France is in the quarterfinals

Status: 04.12.2022 18:09

Defending champions France have reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup in Qatar. Mbappé was the decisive man in the 3-1 win over Poland with two goals. Lewandowski converted a penalty for Poland.

The Polish team surprised in the early stages with a slightly different style of play. They were one of the most defensive sides in the group stage and on Sunday they put pressure on the French defense deep in their half on several occasions. The star ensemble of the “Èquipe Tricolore” initially faced problems, but after an adjustment phase, the favorite quickly determined the game.

Kylian Mbappé set the first scent marks with successful dribbles down the left side, his subsequent crosses also came dangerously, but found no takers. Poland’s goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny only had to intervene for the first time when Aurelien Tchouameni shot from long-range (12′), and Ousmane Dembelé’s attempt, probably the best goalkeeper of the tournament so far, was also there (16′).

From a distance there was also the first chance for Poland. Robert Lewandowski completed a counterattack with his left foot from 24 meters, but the ball did not fly past the flying Hugo Lloris, but also missed the goal (21st). Nevertheless, it was a starting signal for the outsider, and the team led by the former FC Bayern striker even dominated the game.

Giroud and Mbappé miss the lead

However, a technical error by Poland almost allowed the French to open the scoring. Antoine Griezmann captured the ball, played to Dembele, who crossed to Olivier Giroud. The centre-forward tackled the ball, but was only able to slip it past the goal uncontrollably (30′).

Nevertheless, Poland remained the better team, had more possession and also managed to get dangerously into the penalty area several times – but there was not enough precision to put the French goal under pressure. In the end, however, the French came on, Mbappé forced Szczesny to make another save after a solo shot from an acute angle (35th).

First Lloris saves, then France’s offensive duo shines

But things got really dramatic when Poland had their first big chance. After an attack down the left, Lloris first parried Piotr Zielinski’s shot, then Theo Hernandez blocked his second attempt, and Raphael Varane then cleared Jakub Kaminski’s follow-up shot on the line (38′).

The Poles in bad luck – and the French ice cold. Mbappé served Giroud with a brilliant pass and the center forward made it 1-0 for the 2018 world champion with a precise low shot. It was the veteran’s 52nd international goal, who is now the sole record scorer for the French.

Poland disappointed after the break

As in the first half, the game needed some time after the break to get going again. Both teams acted too imprecisely, so there were no chances – before Mbappé showed his class again. This time he dribbled inside, shot from 17 meters and his deflected shot just missed the Polish goal (57′). Shortly thereafter, Giroud scored with an overhead kick (58th), but the game was interrupted beforehand because of an alleged foul by Varane – an extremely controversial decision.

However, France now had the game under control. Almost nothing came from Poland in this phase. A header from Kamil Glik, which went well over the goal, was the first goal approach in the second half (71st). It was good for the outsider, however, that France played their counterattacks poorly and the game remained so tight.

Mbappé decides the game, Lewandowski has to go home

But only up to the 74th minute. Then Dembele freed his brilliant colleague Mbappé, who dribbled and then sank the ball untenably with his right foot in the short corner. It was the superstar’s fourth goal of the tournament, and he also prepared two goals. Thanks to him, France are well on their way to defending the 2018 World Cup title – with Mbappé as the strongest candidate for player of the tournament so far.

France confidently defended their lead because Poland was no longer able to act as forcefully as in phases of the first half. This could mean the end of Lewandowski’s World Cup career, who scored for the first time in a world tournament in Qatar and also scored a penalty against France in the ninth minute of injury time. Beforehand he announced: “I’m preparing as if it could be my last World Cup, but I don’t say yes and I don’t say no. I know that I can still play in four years.”

However, his French star counterpart provided another highlight in the game before Lewandowski’s goal. At the beginning of injury time, Mbappé flicked the ball into the corner and crowned his outstanding performance with his fifth goal of the tournament. And almost single-handedly led France to a 3-1 victory.

Source: sportschau.de

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