Olivier Giroud became France's all-time leading goalscorer as the World Cup holders coasted past Poland 3-1 to reach the quarter-finals. The AC Milan striker scored his 52nd goal for France to claim the country's outright record, surpassing the great Thierry Henry. Kylian Mbappe added two more in the second half and both were fabulous strikes. Gulf News football experts discuss the match and look ahead to tomorrow’s fixtures.
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00:00Hello and welcome to Golf News kicking back where the story of the day is Oliver Giroud
00:13has become France's all-time leading goal scorer as he scored against Poland in the
00:18last 16, France won 3-0, but actually even more impressive than that, Sharm was Mbappe's
00:26performance yet again.
00:27I mean, he single-handedly looks like he's going to take the team all the way to the
00:31final.
00:32He scored two more goals today.
00:33He's become the top scorer in the World Cup and he got the assist for Giroud's goal.
00:37I mean, and he was absolutely unstoppable today.
00:40He's lightning quick.
00:41I mean, poor Matty Cash was the right back trying to mark him, but it was chasing shadows
00:47all night.
00:48How good were France again tonight, Sharm?
00:50Sum it up for us.
00:53France is completely dominant today.
00:55And in fact, if you look at the first 20 minutes, I thought France is just going to blow Poland
01:00away.
01:01Poland came back into the match and they fought for a good bit of time.
01:07That is still the half-time.
01:08After half-time, it was Mbappe and France all the way.
01:12And Mbappe continues to really fascinate me because right from the first match onwards,
01:19he's just been Mbappe, Mbappe, Mbappe.
01:21And today, you look at him, two goals and two assists.
01:24And like you said, he is the leading candidate for the Golden Boot now.
01:30Not just that, he makes it look so ridiculously easy.
01:33And especially the second goal, that is France's third goal he scored, it was just…
01:39There was no goal there.
01:40I mean, there was a whole forest of people in front of him and he bends the ball around
01:44Szczesny.
01:45And Szczesny, who has been the goalkeeper of this tournament.
01:49And the way…
01:50What a brilliant goal, man.
01:52This man is nothing but genius.
01:54And you said Giroud is the leading scorer.
01:56I don't think he will remain the leading scorer for far too long the way Mbappe is
02:01going.
02:02And Mbappe has already eight World Cup goals before 24.
02:07That means he has beaten the record of Pelé.
02:10And it looks like record after record is coming for Mbappe.
02:13And this France leading goal scorer thing of Giroud, I don't think the day is far
02:17off when that will also fall at his feet.
02:20I think you're spot on, Sharm.
02:22The way Mbappe is playing right now…
02:24OK, to his credit, Giroud has got 52 international goals for France.
02:27That's a terrific run.
02:29Thierry Henry held the record until tonight.
02:32But he's gone past him.
02:34But Satish, the way…
02:35As Sharm has just said, the way Mbappe is playing right now, he's got age on his side
02:40as well.
02:41He's only what?
02:4223, Sharm?
02:43I think he's 23 years old.
02:44He's a young man.
02:45Yeah, he's got his whole career.
02:46He's got a good 10 years ahead of him.
02:48And it looks like the way this France team is dominating matches as well, he's going
02:51to be plundering in the goals in the future, isn't he, Sharm Satish?
02:55Absolutely, Emraan.
02:56And he's got that cool presence in him.
02:59If you look at that second goal, he took his time and waited for the slot and then he scored
03:06the goal.
03:07Brilliant.
03:08So, having that kind of a mindset at that young age, that's why he's called one of
03:13the best or a genius probably.
03:15Maybe he'll do better than what Ronaldo or Messi could do for their countries.
03:20But he's brilliant.
03:21Yeah, that…
03:22He's amazed me.
03:23Literally, today, as Sharm said, the angle with which he scored the second goal, or rather
03:28the France third, was brilliant.
03:31It was really amazing to see these kind of shots come through.
03:35Yeah, it definitely got a couple of really good strikes.
03:39But Sharm, I have to say, I was quite…
03:42I was impressed with Poland today.
03:45I was pleased with their approach because, you know, we've been watching them and they've
03:47been very poor.
03:49They've been very negative in the way they've been playing.
03:51They'd only scored two goals in the group stages prior to tonight.
03:57But today's game plan was obviously very different.
03:59They were on the front foot and, OK, they went behind after Giroud had given France
04:04the lead in the first half.
04:05But for long periods of that first half, Poland actually matched France and there was a couple
04:09of moments.
04:10In fact, there was a terrific moment when…
04:13I forgot the striker's name.
04:15It wasn't Lewandowski.
04:16Zelenski.
04:17It was exactly.
04:18And they had three attempts in two seconds.
04:20All three were blocked.
04:22One was a great save and one was stopped on the line and another was saved.
04:26But I think they had a far better showing tonight anyway than they did, especially against
04:32Argentina.
04:33They were really poor in that particular game.
04:35But some words for Poland, Sharm.
04:37What do you think of them tonight?
04:40To me, this was Poland's best performance in Qatar.
04:43Simply because the games they were winning, they were just scraping through.
04:47But today, they were quite positive.
04:49See, this is despite the fact that France was all over them in the first 20 minutes.
04:54Despite that, they showed enough resilience.
04:55In fact, the first 20 minutes, they were kept afloat by nothing but Shesney's brilliance
05:01in the goal, really.
05:03See, after the 20 minutes, Poland decided, OK, enough is enough, OK, we want to be back
05:09in this game.
05:10And they showed some real intent.
05:12And they had the French defence scrambling for cover, actually.
05:17And the goal you had, and the attempt you said something, I think it came around the
05:2036th minute, yes, to Selenskiy.
05:23He let loose such a pile-driver and I don't think Hugo Lloris knew much about it.
05:31It just came straight at him and he just only managed to push it back.
05:34Not just that, there were three attempts at the goal and one of them was saved off the
05:38line by a defender, actually.
05:40If that goal had gone in, I think then we would have had a different match altogether.
05:47But unfortunately for Poland, that didn't go in.
05:49And by the time when they came back from the half-time, France had completely changed their
05:57game plan.
05:58They said, OK, enough is enough, let's go and let's show them their place.
06:03And the second goal which came in the 74th minute, I think for them, it was pretty much
06:08over.
06:09But the good thing is, Poland never gave up right till that end.
06:13I mean, of course, that penalty which came as 90 plus 9, I think that was when the penalty
06:18was scored.
06:19Which clearly shows that at no point, even when they were 3-0 down, Poland never gave
06:24up.
06:25Which is brilliant, I thought.
06:26Which was amazing.
06:27In a World Cup, you just don't give up.
06:29And that is what Poland did.
06:30They can go out with their heads high, despite being a 3-1 defeat.
06:35Because they fought.
06:36Absolutely, Sharm.
06:37I mean, really.
06:38Because, you know, I was very concerned before this game started.
06:41I thought that France would absolutely thrash them, maybe by four or five goals.
06:45If Poland played the way that they had been playing in the group stages, which was having
06:49two banks of four, sitting deep, and then just trying to get the ball up to Lowendorst-Gassen
06:53when they could, and trying to nick a goal.
06:55You just can't play football like that.
06:56You can get away with a couple of results this way.
06:58But over the long course of a tournament, you need to show a bit more.
07:01Tonight, they definitely showed a lot more.
07:03And it's rather apt, Sharm, because that penalty was most probably Lewandowski's last touch
07:09of a football in the World Cup.
07:11Because we know he's going to retire, just like Messi's retiring after this World Cup.
07:15Ronaldo as well.
07:16Lewandowski is also at the age now where he probably isn't going to get another tournament
07:20four years from now.
07:21He probably won't be any use to Poland, if he is selected.
07:26So it most probably was his final touch.
07:29But Satish, having seen France now, obviously they're the defending champions, and they're
07:33playing like they're really enjoying the football.
07:35There's a smile on Mbappé's face, Giroud has come in and replaced Benzema, and they're
07:40not missing him at all.
07:41They've got Griezmann playing really well.
07:43They've got Dembele.
07:44They've got Rabiot.
07:45They've got such a good team there.
07:46Do you think that they can now go on, they're into the quarterfinals, do you think they
07:50can probably feel that they can get to the final and win the title again?
07:54Absolutely, Imran.
07:57And more importantly, the defence has been keeping Lewandowski quiet today.
08:00So that shows that they are a total team.
08:03It's not just about their strike power or scoring goals.
08:08They have kept Lewandowski quiet for almost the entire period of the game.
08:12So that way, I think France has got a total game.
08:16And I'm sure if something happens, a freak happens against them, then it's a different
08:22issue.
08:23But in a knockout, as with any knockout stage.
08:26I think they have every chance of going ahead and winning the title.
08:30Of course, Brazil could be a good contender to be there as well.
08:34But yes, they are.
08:35They are very much there.
08:36Yeah, they're very much there.
08:38We've been saying, Sharm, from the very first game that we watched them, we were impressed
08:42when they took apart the Australians 4-1.
08:46And in fact, Mbappé on that night looked like he was going to have a really good tournament.
08:50And he's kept that level up from that game on, in fact.
08:52He's been playing really well.
08:54He's got them through to the quarter-finals.
08:55I mean, to be honest, though, it's not good to just rely on one man, like Argentina seem
09:00to be doing with Messi.
09:02And it seems to be now the Mbappé show.
09:04But with the quality around him as well, Sharm, they should surely be able to reach the final.
09:09Don't you think so?
09:10Like we said in the previous days, see, France, every game, they've been improving.
09:18Because we even wrote them off early in the tournament simply because they didn't have
09:24Karim Benzema there, who would have been spearheading their attack.
09:28And not just that, they don't have Pogba, they don't have Hande.
09:31So their midfield is pretty much a recast midfield.
09:35So there were serious worries.
09:37But France showed us with every match that they are gelling in their team.
09:41And in the previous game itself, we said they have the look of the champions, really.
09:45It looks like they could be the second team after Brazil to defend a World Cup.
09:51Because the way they were going is, each match, they seem to raise their level higher and higher.
09:55And earlier in the group stage, they looked like a one-man team with Mbappé dominating.
10:02They still do.
10:03But the thing is, that is simply because he is Mbappé.
10:06Because his brilliance, he is outshining the rest of them.
10:10That does not mean that the rest of the team is not rallying around him.
10:14Giroud was very good. He was right there to put the ball home.
10:18So, also, the rest of the guys, so many.
10:21I even wrote down, when the game was 60 minutes old, 9 of the 10 players, okay, forget the goalkeeper.
10:329 of the 10 players had a shy at the Poland goal.
10:37That tells you how much involved the entire team is.
10:40So, all the players are functioning as a unit.
10:43That is what wins football games.
10:46And that's what France did today.
10:48Which is why I seriously think that they will go all the way into the final.
10:56And in fact, Sean, Giroud just showed his quality.
10:58Because before his goal, midway through the first half, he'd only had 9 touches of the ball.
11:03But players like Giroud, they only need one chance.
11:05I mean, he took his finish really well.
11:07Found the bottom corner.
11:08That got them on the way.
11:09France march on.
11:10Poland go home.
11:11We've got two more games tomorrow to look forward to.
11:14Japan against Croatia.
11:15Let's talk about that one first.
11:16Because I've got a sneaky feeling, Satish, that we could be seeing.
11:19I know you've been looking forward to seeing some shocks.
11:22And I think we could be seeing a shock here tomorrow.
11:24I have been so impressed by the Blue Samurai.
11:27They've had a superb tournament.
11:29I mean, beating Germany was just an impressive thing anyway.
11:32But then beating Spain, that was just as remarkable.
11:35Now they face Croatia.
11:36I got a feeling that they can upset them.
11:38What do you think they're going to do?
11:40How do you think they're going to get on tomorrow?
11:41I think I'll go with Japan as well.
11:43Because that confidence should give them…
11:47The victories must be giving them the confidence to go ahead
11:50and take the knockout stage in a much positive way
11:54than what Croatia will be looking for.
11:55So, I would always back the guys who have been consistent.
11:59And especially coming back after two wins against Germany and Spain.
12:03I'm sure morale will be sky-high.
12:07So, I'm sure they will go.
12:08And they played as a unit when they beat both Germany and Spain.
12:13Just like the way France did.
12:14They played as a collective unit.
12:15There are no great superstars.
12:17But each one did their role well.
12:19So, I think they would go ahead and surprise…
12:25Probably give the first surprise in the knockout.
12:29Hopefully, if England sail through today.
12:32Shyam, Croatia do have a superstar in their team.
12:35Luka Modric.
12:36This is probably his last World Cup as well.
12:38Do you think he'll stand up and be counted when his country needs him the most?
12:44Yes, absolutely.
12:45Because he has been doing just that up till now.
12:48So, I would expect him to do that tomorrow too.
12:51Not just that.
12:51I would completely take an opposite view from Satish.
12:55Although I pretty much agree with what he said there.
12:58But I would think that Croatia might beat Japan 1-0.
13:02Okay.
13:02Japan has been the fairytale of this Qatar World Cup.
13:05That is true.
13:05That's no denying it.
13:07They beat Germany.
13:09They beat Spain.
13:10Two of the powerhouses in world football.
13:14So, you cannot take anything away from them.
13:16Because they beat them convincingly.
13:18Not just that.
13:19Even more remarkable is they were gold behind.
13:21And they came back to win both games.
13:23Absolute show of resilience.
13:26Not just that.
13:27And the kind of energy they bring into the match is amazing.
13:31They just sit back and hit you on the counters.
13:33And the speed.
13:34They come back and do is really, really awesome.
13:38So, but having said that.
13:40I think Croatia is a different cup of tea.
13:42Croatia is a more experienced team.
13:44It's not easy to break them down.
13:47Okay.
13:47They may not play what you call very pleasing soccer.
13:50They may not.
13:51But they are more pragmatic side.
13:52The more solid side.
13:54So, unlike Germany and Spain who were going to the attacks right away to get goals.
14:03Croatia doesn't do that.
14:04They just grind them down.
14:06They just grind them down.
14:07They take the chances.
14:08They hit back only when the opportunity arises.
14:12Which is why I think Japan will meet their match in Croatia tomorrow.
14:18Oh, that'll be interesting to see if that happens.
14:20The other game, obviously, is Brazil against South Korea.
14:24And the big news is, Satish, that Neymar is fit and available for Brazil for that game.
14:30Obviously, I think they're going to throw him back into the side.
14:33There seemed to be something slightly not quite right without him there.
14:37I mean, he does so much for the team.
14:38He's a live wire.
14:39You know, he gets the front two working.
14:42He provides all these assists with his flicks and skills.
14:46He's such an important player for them.
14:48But South Korea also have been really good.
14:50They've had a good World Cup up until now.
14:53They beat Portugal in their last game.
14:55Injury time goal it was that put them through.
14:58And which knocked Germany out.
14:59How do you see South Korea getting on tomorrow against Brazil?
15:04Oh, I think the way that Brazil…
15:06Actually, when they played the last game, I think there were six substitutions.
15:11And still, they did quite well in the World Cup.
15:14So, that shows the strength of Brazil.
15:16So, if the A team…
15:18I'm sure the A team will be coming in with Neymar coming in.
15:21I'm sure Brazil will be…
15:24They should easily win against South Korea.
15:26Though South Korea can spring a surprise with their total football again.
15:32But I think it's Brazil for me tomorrow.
15:38Sham, do you agree with Satish?
15:40Brazil to cruise through to the quarterfinals?
15:43Brazil might win.
15:44But I'm not happy with the way Brazil has been playing.
15:47Despite their star quality and despite having 26 stars in the squad,
15:52they have not been the Brazil they are.
15:55Simply because they have not been…
15:57They've been dominating.
15:58But in the end, it's the goals that matter.
16:00But the goals have not been coming.
16:02How many goals have they scored so far?
16:04Not so many.
16:05Which is a worry for me.
16:07And you look at the match against Cameroon, for instance.
16:11They dominated 89 minutes of the match.
16:14And the sheer number of goals on target,
16:16in terms of the goals, I mean, it is no match.
16:20Cameroon got one chance.
16:21They scored.
16:22And they won.
16:23So, this is how football is played.
16:25And I think Brazil needs to get scoring.
16:27They need to get more goals in.
16:28So, you look at how France is playing.
16:31They've been dominant.
16:32They've been scoring.
16:33Brazil has been dominant, but not scoring.
16:35Which is a worry.
16:36But I think tomorrow, they should have enough quality in them to beat South Korea.
16:42Yeah, I agree.
16:43I think they should, especially with Neymar back in the team.
16:46Richarlison, Rafinha, Vinicius Junior.
16:48They've got so many attacking players.
16:50And you're right, Shaan.
16:51With that wealth of attack, you'd expect more goals.
16:53Maybe we'll see that tomorrow.
16:54Right, that's the two games for tomorrow.
16:56But we have to have a quick word about Lionel Messi.
16:59He played his 1,000th career game yesterday.
17:02And he was on target.
17:04Of course, he was going to be.
17:05He scored the first against the Australians.
17:07They won 2-1.
17:08They're into the quarter-finals.
17:09Satish, how impressed were you with Messi again yesterday?
17:14Yeah, I think after the loss in the first game, I think he's now ready to prove a point.
17:21I could see that extra energy in him to tell the world that I'm not just somebody who
17:28will go home empty-handed.
17:30So he's done a remarkable job.
17:33And it's great that he has scored and he's taken Argentina to the quarter-finals.
17:38Now lies the bigger test for Argentina now.
17:43And the final word for Shaan.
17:45Shaan, look, every team, all the big teams now, have got obviously one key player, the
17:49talisman.
17:50If you look at Brazil, it's Neymar.
17:52If you look at Argentina, it's Messi.
17:53If you look at France, it's Mbappé.
17:55Now from all these quality players, which one of these players do you think can take
17:59the team all the way and lift up the FIFA World Cup?
18:03Right now, it's Mbappé.
18:07I agree.
18:08I agree.
18:09I think we all agree.
18:11All in agreement.
18:13I think there's no argument there.
18:14The boy is in scintillating form.
18:17He's playing so well.
18:18You know, every time he puts on that France shirt, he just seems to get better and better.
18:22Like we saw today, he was just bossing the game.
18:24He looks like he's getting faster as well.
18:26Maybe my eyes are deceiving me.
18:28I'm not sure.
18:28Right.
18:29That's all from us tonight.
18:30We'll be back tomorrow.
18:31In the meantime, head to gulfnews.com for all the latest news and reviews.
18:34And check us out on our social media channels.
18:37Thank you, Satish.
18:37And thanks, Shaan.
18:38Thank you, Imran.
18:39Good luck, Imran.
18:40Good luck for the game tonight.
18:42Thank you, guys.