90min

Twitter reacts as Giroud breaks record in comfortable France win

By Henry Burt

Giroud has surpassed Thierry Henry to become France's leading male goalscorer
Giroud has surpassed Thierry Henry to become France's leading male goalscorer / Amin Mohammad Jamali/GettyImages
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France saw off a spirited display from Poland to advance to the World Cup quarter-finals, as goals from Olivier Giroud and Kylian Mbappe saw them cruise to a 3-1 win.

Things are really hotting up now out in Qatar, with teams no longer able to afford a single slip-up as the competition heads towards its conclusion. As a result, Twitter was buzzing with activity throughout the game, with everyone looking to get involved with the action on the pitch.

Before the game, there was time for fans to appreciate the luxury of being treated to two absolutely banging national anthems.

One of the most powerful narratives going into this clash was the match-up between Kylian Mbappe and Poland right-back Matty Cash, who was playing in the Championship just three years ago.

As always, 23-year-old Mbappe was the centre of attention and the internet loved seeing these kids' reaction to the PSG forward appearing in the tunnel.

Poland have been criticised for their conservative football so far at this World Cup - so seeing them actually attempt to attack the French goal in the early stages of the match was too much for some people.

Meanwhile, France defender Jules Kounde did his best to insert himself into the narrative by playing while still wearing his chain.

Sure enough, once the match officials noticed Kounde's bling they forced the Barcelona defender to remove it. It only took them 41 minutes to realise.

The best chance of the first half hour fell to Olivier Giroud, who went into this match gunning for the all-time French male scoring record. Unfortunately, the former Arsenal and Chelsea striker fired wide from Ousmane Dembele's cutback, much to the display of French supporters everywhere.

Giroud didn't have to wait long to make amends, however, popping up just before half-time to write his name into the history books.

Giroud almost went one better in the second half, finding the net again with an audacious overhead kick - only for it to be ruled out for a foul in the build-up.

Alongside Mbappe and Giroud in attack was Antoine Griezmann, who looked so calm and composed on the ball you'd almost think he'd done this at a World Cup before.

In the end, though, it was Mbappe who put the finishing touches on a resounding French victory with two sumptuous goals.

Lewandowski pulled one back for Poland late on with a penalty - but had blushes spared after an embarrassing miss when Hugo Lloris was found to have stepped off his line.

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