France reaches World Cup quarterfinals with 3-1 victory over Poland as Kylian Mbappé breaks Pelé’s record

France was made to work hard for its place in the World Cup quarterfinals, overcoming an improved Poland side 3-1 thanks to goals from Olivier Giroud and Kylian Mbappé.

Giroud broke the deadlock just before halftime, collecting a through pass from Mbappé and putting the ball brilliantly into the far corner. It’s that kind of clinical finishing that has now earned Giroud 52 goals for France, surpassing the previous record held by Thierry Henry.

Brazilian Pele attends the 2018 soccer World Cup draw at the Kremlin in Moscow, Dec. 1, 2017.

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Poland struggled in its three group matches, playing a conservative style of football, but a more attacking team on Sunday caused France problems throughout this match and Les Bleus had captain Hugo Lloris to thank for maintaining its clean sheet with a brilliant first-half save from Robert Lewandowski.

However, with the game very much in the balance, Mbappé showed why he is considered one of the best players in the world, finishing brilliantly into the near post from inside the penalty area to break Polish hearts.

Giroud celebrates becoming France's all-time top scorer.

If people thought Mbappé couldn’t top that effort, they would have been wrong. His second – and France’s third – was a thing of beauty, turning and curling a stunning strike into the top corner.

That is Mbappé’s fifth goal of Qatar 2022 and already his ninth World Cup goal overall, breaking Pelé’s record of seven World Cup goals scored before the age of 24.

Lewandowski did get a consolation goal for Poland with the last kick of the game, converting a penalty after he missed his first effort but was given a second chance as Lloris came off his line.

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After making seven changes to the team for France’s defeat against Tunisia, manager Didier Deschamps reverted back to the team that beat Denmark in its second match of this World Cup.

France is looking to become just the third team in history to win back-to-back World Cups and looked like one of the most dangerous teams in Qatar after its opening two games.

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The team managed to win just one of its six UEFA Nations League games earlier this year, finishing below Croatia and Denmark, but – to the relief of Deschamps – has rekindled the type of form that helped it lift the trophy in Russia four years ago.

The team’s improvement is even more impressive given Deschamps is without a number of key players at this World Cup.

Lionel Messi holds up the World Cup trophy after Argentina defeated France in the tournament final on Sunday, December 18.

Argentina fans celebrate in Buenos Aires.

Messi holds the Golden Ball trophy, awarded to the tournament's top player, while kissing the World Cup trophy.

Argentina players react after Gonzalo Montiel scored his penalty to clinch the shootout victory.

French star Kylian Mbappé sits on the team's bench after the loss.

French players react during the penalty shootout.

Montiel becomes emotional after slotting home the winning penalty.

Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez celebrates after blocking Kingsley Coman's penalty in the shootout.

Mbappé scored a penalty late in extra time to force the shootout. He scored all of France's three goals.

Messi scored for Argentina in extra time, giving his team a brief 3-2 lead.

Mbappé slams home his team's second goal to tie the match at 2-2 in the second half. It came just moments after he scored on a penalty.

Argentina's Julián Álvarez, left, competes with France's Dayot Upamecano.

Angel Di Maria celebrates after scoring Argentina's second goal in the first half. Argentina led 2-0 at halftime.

Di Maria slots the ball past France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, finishing an Argentina counterattack for the 2-0 lead.

Messi opens the scoring with a penalty in the 23rd minute.

Messi celebrates after converting his penalty.

Players line up for the national anthems before the final at the Lusail Stadium.

Croatia players celebrate after defeating Morocco 2-1 in the World Cup's third-place match on Saturday, December 17.

Croatia captain Luka Modrić celebrates with his daughter after the medal ceremony on Saturday.

Morocco's Achraf Dari scores a header to tie the match against Croatia. Croatia ultimately regained the lead with a goal from Mislav Oršić.

Croatia's Joško Gvardiol, right, celebrates after scoring his side's opening goal against Morocco.

French players celebrate after defeating Morocco 2-0 in the World Cup semifinals on Wednesday, December 14.

Morocco's Jawad El Yamiq attempts a bicycle kick during the first half against France. His shot clanged off the post.

Morocco fans show their support at Wednesday's semifinal.

Theo Hernandez scores France's opening goal early in the match against Morocco.

Argentina star Lionel Messi, left, celebrates with teammate Julián Álvarez after Álvarez scored his first of two goals against Croatia in the World Cup semifinals on Tuesday, December 13. Messi scored the other goal on a first-half penalty.

Croatian defender Joško Gvardiol reacts in the net after Álvarez scored to put Argentina up 3-0.

Argentina players celebrate their 2-0 lead in the first half.

Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez reaches out for a save against Croatia.

England's Mason Mount appears dejected as French players celebrate their 2-1 quarterfinal win at the World Cup on December 10.

French players try to block a Marcus Rashford free kick late in the match.

Olivier Giroud celebrates after scoring a goal for France that turned out to be the match-winner.

England's Harry Kane scores a penalty to even up the score against France. But he missed a penalty in the second half with France leading 2-1.

Aurélien Tchouaméni celebrates after scoring France's opening goal against England.

French star Kylian Mbappé is tackled by England's Declan Rice.

A memorial for American journalist Grant Wahl sits in the press area of Al Bayt Stadium on December 10. Wahl died after collapsing during the quarterfinal match between Argentina and the Netherlands. His wife, Dr. Celine Gounder, said he died of an aortic aneurysm that ruptured.

Morocco players celebrate after defeating Portugal 1-0 on December 10. The "Atlas Lions" made history by becoming the first African team to reach a World Cup semifinal.

Morocco fans celebrate in the stands following their team's victory on December 10.

Sofiane Boufal of Morocco celebrates with a family member.

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo sinks to the ground beside Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou.

Youssef En-Nesyri heads the ball to score Morocco's goal against Portugal.

Players from Argentina, top, and the Netherlands react at the end of the penalty shootout that decided their quarterfinal match at the World Cup on December 9. Argentina prevailed on spot kicks after the match ended 2-2.

Argentina's Lionel Messi, left, and Leandro Paredes celebrate their berth in the semifinals.

Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez tries to shake Teun Koopmeiners' hand during the shootout.

Martinez saves the penalty of Dutch captain Virgil van Dijk early in the shootout. Martinez made two saves in the shootout, which finished 4-3 for Argentina.

Dutch players celebrate after Wout Weghorst scored late into second-half stoppage time to extend the match.

Weghorst overpowers Enzo Fernández on a carefully orchestrated set play to tie the match at 2-2.

Van Dijk knocks over Paredes as Dutch players run onto the field in the second half. The skirmish started after a hard Paredes foul on Nathan Aké. Paredes then smashed the ball into the Dutch bench.

Brazilian star Neymar is comforted by Dani Alves after Brazil were knocked out of the World Cup by Croatia on December 9. Croatia won a penalty shootout after the match ended 1-1.

Croatian goalkeeper Dominik Livaković celebrates after Marquinhos hit the post on the last kick of the penalty shootout. It was Croatia's second straight shootout win in this World Cup.

Croatian players run around the field and celebrate their victory as Marquinhos, bottom right, falls to his knees.

Croatia's Borna Sosa hits Antony in the face while tussling for position.

Neymar opens the scoring in extra time after the match went scoreless in regulation. With the goal, he tied Pelé as Brazil's all-time goalscorer. But Croatia would tie the match a few minutes later with a goal from Bruno Petković.

Gonçalo Ramos celebrates his first of three goals in Portugal's 6-1 thrashing of Switzerland on December 6. The win booked Portugal's spot in the quarterfinals.

Pepe scores Portugal's second goal on December 6.

Portugal manager Fernando Santos speaks with Cristiano Ronaldo before bringing him off the bench against Switzerland. Ronaldo started the first three group-stage games but was replaced by Ramos for the round-of-16 clash.

Morocco players celebrate after Achraf Hakimi scored to win a penalty shootout against Spain on December 6. The match ended 0-0 before going to the shootout.

Morocco's Abdelhamid Sabiri scores during the penalty shootout against Spain.

Spain's Aymeric Laporte reacts after the loss to Morocco.

Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou makes a save near the end of the Spain match.

Hakimi tries to win the ball from Spain's Dani Olmo, seen in the foreground.

Richarlison, left, scores Brazil's third goal during the World Cup match against South Korea on December 5. Brazil won 4-1 to advance to the quarterfinals.

From left, Vinicius Junior, Raphinha, Lucas Paqueta and Neymar celebrate after one of Brazil's four first-half goals.

Mario Pasalic, right, celebrates with goalkeeper Dominik Livaković after Croatia won a penalty shootout over Japan. Livaković made three saves in the shootout after the match ended 1-1.

Livaković saves the first penalty in the shootout against Japan.

Croatian midfielder Lovro Majer falls near Japanese midfielder Ao Tanaka.

England players celebrate after Harry Kane scored against Senegal on December 4. England won 3-0 to advance to the quarterfinals.

A Senegal supporter cheers before the match against England.

France's Olivier Giroud celebrates scoring his team's first goal against Poland on December 4. With the goal, Giroud became Les Bleus' all-time top goalscorer. France defeated Poland 3-1 to advance to the quarterfinals.

France's Dayot Upamecano collides with Poland goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny.

Argentina's Lionel Messi, left, celebrates with teammates after opening the scoring against Australia on December 3. Argentina's 2-1 victory set up a quarterfinal match against the Netherlands.

Australian fans in Sydney celebrate their team's goal against Argentina on December 3.

US captain Tyler Adams sinks to the ground after the Americans lost 3-1 to the Netherlands on December 3.

The United States' Brenden Aaronson, left, and the Netherlands' Frenkie de Jong battle for the ball on November 3.

Switzerland's Remo Freuler, right, celebrates with Ricardo Rodriguez after scoring the third and decisive goal in the 3-2 victory over Serbia on December 2. With the win, Switzerland advanced to the next stage of the World Cup.

Players argue during the Serbia-Switzerland match. Serbia was eliminated with the loss.

Switzerland's Manuel Akanji heads the ball during the Serbia match.

Dušan Vlahović scores Serbia's second goal on December 2.

Bremer heads the ball for Brazil during the match against Cameroon on December 2. Cameroon came out on top 1-0, but Brazil still won Group G thanks to two earlier victories.

Bremer controls the ball against Cameroon.

Cameroon's Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting tries to bring the ball down between Fabinho and Éder Militão.

South Korea's Hwang Hee-chan celebrates December 2 after his team's 2-1 victory over Portugal clinched a spot in the next round. Hwang scored the game-winning goal in second-half stoppage time.

South Korea's Son Heung-min slides for a tackle against Portugal's João Mário. Portugal lost the match but still won Group H.

Portugal's Ruben Neves, left, heads the ball against South Korea.

Uruguay's Giorgian de Arrascaeta scores his second goal in the 2-0 victory over Ghana on December 2. Uruguay finished Group H with the same amount of points as South Korea, but the South Koreans advanced because they scored more goals in the group.

Uruguay's Luis Suarez, foreground, looks to head the ball against Ghana.

Ghana's Inaki Williams leaps for a kick against Uruguay.

Japan's Kaoru Mitoma passes the ball near the goal line, leading to a goal that was upheld by a video assistant referee (VAR) review during the match against Spain on December 1. Japan took a 2-1 lead and held on to win by that score. It finished first in Group E while Spain finished second.

Wataru Endo celebrates with teammates after Japan's victory.

Spain's Alejandro Balde tries to hold up Japan's Ritsu Doan.

Germany's Thomas Müller hugs Antonio Rüdiger after their 4-2 win over Costa Rica on December 1. Despite the win, Germany was eliminated from the tournament because Japan defeated Spain.

German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer punches a ball clear against Costa Rica.

Referee Stephanie Frappart, center, warms up with assistant referees Karen Diaz, left, and Neuza Back before the Germany-Costa Rica match. They made history as the first all-female refereeing crew for a men's World Cup match. Frappert became the first woman to referee a men's World Cup match.

Belgium players react after their 0-0 draw against Croatia meant that they would be eliminated on December 1. Belgium finished third at the last World Cup in 2018.

Belgium's Leandro Trossard, left, and Croatia's Josko Gvardiol compete for a ball. Croatia finished second in Group F to advance to the tournament's knockout stage.

Croatia's Borna Sosa heads the ball near Belgium's Thomas Meunier.

A Belgium supporter looks dejected after the match against Croatia.

Morocco head coach Walid Regragui is lifted into the air by his team after a 2-1 victory over Canada on December 1. Morocco finished first in Group F.

Canada's Alistair Johnston tries to head the ball into Morocco's net on December 1.

Youssef En-Nesyri celebrates after scoring Morocco's second goal against Canada.

Argentina's Julian Alvarez is put in a headlock by teammate Enzo Fernandez after scoring against Poland on November 30. Argentina won 2-0 to finish first in Group C and advance to the knockout stage. Poland qualified as well despite the loss.

Argentina star Lionel Messi is hit in the face by Poland's Wojciech Szczesny in the first half November 30. A penalty was given after video review, but Szczesny saved Messi's shot.

Messi and Poland's Bartosz Bereszynski compete for the ball.

Mexico's Orbelín Pineda, left, and Saudi Arabia's Mohamed Kanno go for a header during their match on November 30. Mexico won 2-1.

Mexico's Henry Martín scores the first goal against Saudi Arabia.

A fan wears La Catrina-style makeup at the start of the Mexico-Saudi Arabia match.

Australia's Mathew Leckie, left, celebrates after scoring the only goal in the 1-0 win over Denmark on November 30. The win advanced the "Socceroos" to the knockout stage.

A Denmark supporter reacts to Australia's goal on November 30.

Australia's Riley McGree shields the ball from Denmark's Mikkel Damsgaard.

Tunisian players mob teammate Wahbi Khazri after his goal against France on November 30. Tunisia won 1-0, but it was not enough to advance to the knockout stage. France still won Group D.

Tunisia's Issam Jebali heads the ball next to France's Aurélien Tchouaméni.

American star Christian Pulisic scores the only goal in the match against Iran on November 29. With the victory, the United States advanced to the tournament's knockout stage.

Iran's Ramin Rezaeian heads the ball during the match against the United States.

Shaq Moore slides in for a tackle against Iran's Abolfazl Jalali.

England's Phil Foden celebrates after scoring his team's second goal in the 3-0 win over Wales on November 29. England won Group B.