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DOHA, Qatar — No one has become a men’s world champion in 60 years. Not the English or Brazilians. Not the Argentines, Germans, Italians, French or Spaniards.
Teams go through cycles. shape varies. mood sour. It’s hard enough to win a championship, but back to back in this all-out competition?
The French – reigning winners in elegant blue and with two gold stars above their cockscomb – met a strong headwind on arrival here. The great depth helped offset three injured stars but to lift another trophy Les Bleus will need special contributions.
You will need Kylian Mbappé to continue his extraordinary performance.
Schedule of the World Cup bracket and knockout round
In another evening of incredible football from the best young player in the world, Mbappé set up the opening goal before scoring two high-profile goals as France rolled 3-1 past Poland to book the quarter-finals against England on Saturday.
“There is no recipe. No coach knows the recipe to stop Mbappé in his current form,” said Polish coach Czesław Michniewicz. “He’s a fantastic player and he hurt us today. But I cheer him on. I cheer for him because he’s a real star. I’m talking about [Lionel] Messi, [Cristiano] ronaldo, [Robert] Lewandowski. Someone will take over and I think Mbappé will be the player who will be the best for many years to come.”
Mbappé, 23, stormed to the top of the Golden Boot race with his fifth goal in four games – four years after he scored four goals and became the youngest goalscorer in a World Cup final since Pelé in 1958.
“We know about Kylian. We saw him. He speaks on the pitch,” said French coach Didier Deschamps, adding incredibly: “He didn’t have his best game.”
Deschamps continued: “He can change a game in a moment. He always plays with so much joy and we all want to share that smile with him. France needed a great Kylian Mbappé tonight and we got one.”
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Mbappé set up Olivier Giroud’s goal in the 44th minute and scored in the 74th and added time before Lewandowski converted a penalty in the evening’s final act.
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When asked about the prospects of winning the MVP award, known as the Golden Ball, Mbappé said, “The only goal for me is to win the World Cup.”
“Winning the next game now, the quarter-finals, is the most important thing and that’s what I dream of,” he said. “The only thing I dream of is this. I came to win this World Cup. I didn’t come here to win the Golden Boot or the Golden Ball. Of course, if I win, I’m happy. But I’m here to win and I’m here to help the French national team.”
Mbappé has been the star of several games but had not previously spoken to reporters. He apologized on Sunday.
“I just had to focus on the tournament and my football and if I want to focus on something then that’s how I function,” he said. The French Football Federation faced FIFA fines over Mbappé’s media ban. He offered to pay the fine. Ultimately, he agreed to an interview.
“This is the competition of my dreams and I’m really excited to be here,” he said. “I’ve been preparing myself physically and mentally for this tournament all season. I wanted to be ready for this tournament and I am and so far it’s going well. But we are still a long way from the final goal.”
Poor Poland. In the last two games they met Messi (Argentina) and Mbappé, both defeats.
In their first appearance in the round of 16 since 1986, Poland played with one of the greatest strikers in the world, Lewandowski, and the amazing goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, who saved two penalties in the group stage.
The Poles were unfazed by their daunting task. Disciplined as well as courageous, they were unwilling to be run over by France.
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Les Bleus played with old tricks in the first half. Mbappé cut back so sharply in the penalty area that Matty Cash’s ankle could have been broken. Ousmane Dembélé’s cross slid just over Giroud’s skidding offer in the six-yard box.
A wonderful opportunity developed for Poland in the 38th minute, a volley of shots that shook France. Goalkeeper Hugo Lloris stopped Piotr Zieliński’s shot from 12 meters out with his knee, Theo Hernandez blocked Zieliński’s follow-up shot and Raphael Varane cleared a shot from the goal-line.
Six minutes later, France took the lead. Poland thought it was aligned correctly when France investigated. The goal was reached in a flash. Giroud straddled the top of the box, capturing Jakub Kiwior and jumping into space just as Mbappé released a well-weighted entry pass.
Giroud fired a 12-yarder at an angle into the far corner to become France’s all-time leading scorer with 52 goals, one ahead of Thierry Henry.
“We were lucky to be in the lead at half-time,” said Deschamps. “We gave Poland too many chances.”
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France has a firm grip on the second half. A Polish threat was wiped out in the penalty area, Antoine Griezmann, a forward, flicked the ball into midfield. The counterattack was on.
As Dembélé drew attention on the right, Mbappé revved up his engines and sailed unnoticed on the left. Poland’s inattention should be punished.
Dembélé delivered the ball. Mbappé picked his point and when Szczesny leaned very slightly to the other side, the Frenchman ripped a shot from 17 meters into the top corner.
In stoppage time, Mbappé grabbed a gap, pulled the ball back from a defender and fired a cannon shot into the far top corner for his 16th goal in 14 internationals and 33rd in 63 France appearances.
“We’re thrilled,” said Mbappé.
Undoubtedly, the remaining WM field is on alert.
World Cup in Qatar
The newest: In another evening of incredible football from the best young player in the world, Kylian Mbappé set up the first goal before scoring two high-profile goals as France rolled 3-1 past Poland to book the quarter-finals against England on Saturday.
USMNT: The US men’s national team lost 3-1 to the Netherlands in the opening game of the round of 16 on Saturday. The USA have not won a World Cup knockout game since 2002, when they beat regional rivals Mexico in the round of 16 in South Korea.
Knockout Round Schedule: A World Cup group stage full of shocking upsets and dramatic twists is now giving way to a knockout round that promises more upsets.
Perspective: “The incremental progression was clear, but beyond that the players put in a performance that suggests they are on the road to immense growth. There is a cohesion and energy in the United States that should inspire belief.” Read Jerry Brewer on the future of the US men’s national team.
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