At the end of a completely mastered round of 16 against Poland this Sunday, December 4, the French team qualified for the quarter-finals of the World Cup.
8:30 p.m. – Deschamps takes stock
The coach of the Blues, Didier Deschamps confided at length to the microphone of beIN Sports after the qualification of the French team in the quarter-finals: “It’s always a game rocking the eighth. To switch to the right side after the chickens , we have to win the round of 16 match. We still managed to do it, we’re going to enjoy it. Even if we suffered in the first half. We started very well then we fell into a false rhythm with bad positioning. We suffered on our right side especially and lacked attacking variety. With some readjustments and more dynamism we became much more dangerous. An adjustment changed things in midfield. Griezmann was not in the right areas and s was sometimes lost, he found his place afterwards and it did us good.”
20:15 – The beautiful statistics of Didier Deschamps
After a very good start to the match, the Blues trembled before Olivier Giroud’s opener. The Habs then rolled out in the second act and won (3-1). A great victory that allows France to play a new quarter-final of the World Cup. It is also the first time in its history that the French team will play a third consecutive quarter-final after 2014 and 2018. A first in the history of the Blues.
20:00 – A first for a reigning world champion
Thanks to its victory (3-1) against Poland, France validated its ticket for the quarter-finals of the World Cup. And this is a great first for a reigning world champion. The Blues are indeed the first defending champion to qualify for the quarter-finals of the World Cup since Brazil in 2006.
19:45 – Koundé’s reaction
Preferred to Benjamin Pavard on the right side of the defence, Jules Koundé confided in the TF1 microphone in the mixed zone after the final whistle: “Qualification is deserved. Even if we suffered in the first period and we let them gain confidence. We were able to do badly in the important moments. At half-time, the coach asked us to erase our lost balls. It’s good to have time to breathe, prepare well for this quarter final and find our loved ones.”
7:30 p.m. – Giroud reassuring
Released before the end of France – Poland, Olivier Giroud seemed touched with being replaced by Marcus Thuram. The AC Milan striker wanted to reassure French supporters in the mixed zone. “Everything is fine, nothing to report. There is no problem” declared the number 9 of the France team.
7:15 p.m. – Rabiot: “We took control of the game”
Author of a solid match against Poland, the midfielder of Juventus of Turin, Adrien Rabiot, confided in the mixed zone at the microphone of TF1: “Qualification is deserved overall. We conceded hot action in the first half but we recovered well. In the second half, we mastered and we rolled. We took control of the game and in front of the job was done. A match like this, it’s pleasure. You have to give everything you have, as long as it lasts.”
19:00 – The stratospheric statistics of Mbappé
The number 10 of the France team splashed with his class this round of 16 against Poland. Two sumptuous goals and an assist, this is the record of the native of Bondy against the White Eagles. With this new double, he became the first player in history to score 9 goals in the World Cup before his 24th birthday. Unbelievable.
6:45 p.m. – Giroud: “This record is great”
Author of the first goal of the match, Olivier Giroud became the best scorer in the history of the French team. At the microphone of TF1, the Blues striker gave his impressions after France – Poland: “We are very happy. The adventure continues. We said to ourselves in the locker room that we had to be united, united, and only do one. The group lives well together and it shows on the field. My record? It’s great, it’s a childhood dream to beat Titi now my obsession is to go as far as possible with the team .”
18:30 – Deschamps’ reaction
After the final whistle, the coach of the Blues, Didier Deschamps spoke at the microphone of TF1: “It was not easy because the Poles were well organized, but we have this ability to find the binder. Then also it’s Kylian who has the ability to solve… A lot of problems! Good for us. Now we’re going to prepare for the next match. We have a little more time, we’re going to rest and spend time with our families. as expected.”
18:01 – The goal of the break signed Mbappé
Upon returning from the locker room, the Blues pushed to find the fault and score the goal of the break. It was Mbappé, on a masterful strike who scored the 2-0 goal. Discover the little gem of the native of Bondy on video.
17:58 – Giroud’s goal on video
Discover in video the opening of the score of the striker of the Blues which allowed him to become the best scorer in the history of the team of France.
17:58 – France qualified in the quarter-finals!
It is done. The France team wins (3-0) against Poland and validates its ticket for the quarter-finals of the World Cup. She will face the winner of the match between England and Senegal.
17:56 – Lewandowski reduces the score
The second is the good one for the Poland striker who takes Lloris the wrong way. That’s (3-1) in this round of 16 between France and Poland.
17:56 – End of the match at Al-Thumama (3-1)!
The final advantage in the score (3-1) of France is rather logical in view of the stats available at the end of this meeting. The French indeed have a slight advantage in terms of possession of the ball but have also and above all proved to be more dangerous by framing more shots (9 shots against 2 for Poland).
17:56 – Robert Lewandowski reduces the delay of Poland (3-1)!
90ᵉ. And it is Robert Lewandowski who is in charge of transforming this penalty for Poland! The ball ends up in the opposing net and the score is 3-1 at Al-Thumama Stadium.
17:54 – The penalty is missed (3-0)!
90ᵉ. And the shooter misses this penalty whistled by Jesus Valenzuela for Poland!
17:54 – Lloris saves Lewandowski’s penalty
Poland’s number 9 hits his penalty badly with a rather strange run-up. Lloris captures the leather but the penalty is to be withdrawn…
17:54 – Dayot Upamecano offers a penalty to Poland!
90ᵉ. Poland wins a penalty following a foul by Dayot Upamecano!
17:54 – Jesus Valenzuela has made his decision!
90ᵉ. The decision has fallen for Poland: and it is indeed a penalty that is whistled by Jesus Valenzuela after a call to the VAR! Perhaps a turning point in this 2nd half!
17:53 – Will Jesus Valenzuela whistle a penalty for Poland?
90ᵉ. The game is stopped at Al-Thumama Stadium: the referee hesitates to signal a penalty for Poland after a contentious gesture in the box and calls on his colleagues from the video.
17:51 – The Lloris parade!
Lewandowski takes the leather of the head. He arrives on Milik who tries a return in a closed angle. Parade from Lloris to keep his clean sheet.
17:47 – Goal signed Kylian Mbappe at Al-Thumama Stadium (3-0)!
90ᵉ. The score goes to 3-0 in this France – Poland! Kylian Mbappe shook the nets in the 90th minute of play of this 2nd half and pushed the Poles a little deeper!
17:47 – Mbappé again!
What a goal again from number 10 of the Blues. Found by Thuram in the area, Mbappé controls and connects a powerful curling shot. Szczesny is beaten by this new shell from the Frenchman. Stunning !