Mbappe’s double helps France ease past Poland
KYLIAN Mbappe continued his supreme form in Qatar with a brace and assist to help France progress into the World Cup quarter-finals following a 3-1 win over Poland yesterday.
Mbappe produced two curled finishes in the final 16 minutes in Doha to wrap up victory for the holders after Olivier Giroud’s fine opener at the end of the first half.
Giroud’s impressive 44th-minute finish made him France’s outright top goalscorer with 52 goals, moving ahead of fellow ex-Arsenal striker Thierry Henry.
Poland had their moments and Robert Lewandowski scored a stoppage-time consolation from the penalty spot for his nation but the night belonged to Mbappe.
It was the Paris St Germain attackers’ fourth and fifth goals of the tournament which set up a lasteight clash with England on Saturday night.
» Lionel Messi marked his 1,000th senior appearance with the opening goal as Argentina booked their place in the World Cup quarterfinals by beating Australia 2-1 on Saturday.
Messi produced the first moment of quality to break the deadlock towards the end of the first half and Julian Alvarez pounced on a goalkeeping error to put two-time world champions Argentina in full control early in the second. Australia went down fighting at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium and ensured an anxious finale after Craig Goodwin’s deflected shot reduced the deficit.
It needed a superb last-ditch tackle from Argentina defender Lisandro Martinez to deny Australia’s Aziz Behich what would have been a stunning equaliser in the 80th minute.
A last-eight clash with the Netherlands - 3-1 winners against the USA in their last-16 tie - on Friday now awaits Argentina.