Olivier Giroud, who became France’s top goal-scorer with an opening goal vs Poland, would have gotten to No 53 had an over-head kick qualified in the FIFA World Cup 2022 round of 16 match.
Giroud, after netting a first-half goal to put France in the lead, scored with a glorious acrobatic overhead kick in the second half. However, the whistle had already gone after Szczesny landed awkwardly. The goal was disallowed.
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Mbappe’s brace put France 3-0 up before Robert Lewandowski took two attempts to net a penalty and give Poland some relief.
France won 3-1 and will play the quarterfinal of the FIFA World Cup.
It was Mbappé who threaded a pass to Giroud and the AC Milan striker quickly slotted the ball into the far corner for the first goal of the game. It was the striker’s 52nd career international goal — breaking a tie with Thierry Henry on France’s all-time scoring list.
After Mbappé leaped into Giroud’s arms to celebrate, pumping his fists, Giroud held up seven fingers to the cameras — five on one hand and two on the other for “52.”
It’s all the more sweet for Giroud because he wasn’t even supposed to be a starter on this year’s squad until Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema was ruled out because of injury. Giroud also scored two goals in France’s opening 4-1 win over Australia.
Lewandowski missed a few chances, including a wide long-range opportunity early on. He also gestured angrily at his teammates for not providing him with the ball. The Polish striker’s first penalty attempt in the final seconds was saved but he scored with the second after a video review ruled that Lloris left his line too early.
