Paris St Germain Karim Benzema Olivier Giroud Wojciech Szczesny Qatar France Colombia Doha Poland Arsenal curling Chelsea Gap Paris St Germain Karim Benzema Olivier Giroud Wojciech Szczesny Qatar France Colombia Doha Poland

Analysis:Age gap no problem for France's deadly striking duo

channelnewsasia.com

DOHA : Thirteen years separate France strikers Kylian Mbappe and Olivier Giroud but their devastating double act in the 3-1 last-16 defeat of Poland at the World Cup on Sunday showed the age gap is no barrier to a flourishing relationship.Giroud, at 36, brings experience and guile to France's attack, while Mbappe, 23, is blessed with pace so explosive that the screens at the Al Thumama Stadium showed him hitting a top of speed of 35kmh (22 mph) as he tormented Poland's defence.It was not supposed to be this way in Qatar.

Giroud looked set for a secondary role for France until the team's number one centre forward Karim Benzema pulled out with an injury on the even of the tournament.Mbappe and Benzema have forged a promising partnership for France in the past but the young Paris St Germain striker has said previously that Giroud's approach to attack probably suited him better.That understanding was clear for all to see as Poland were cut apart by France's strikers.A defence-splitting pass by Mbappe set up Giroud to break the deadlock - and become France's all-time top goalscorer - in the 44th minute of the mismatch, with Poland chasing shadows for most of it.The goal also made Giroud - at 36 years and 65 days old - the oldest scorer in a World Cup knockout match since Roger Milla against Colombia in 1990 in a last-16 game.FAVOUR RETURNEDGiroud, who plays for AC Milan after making his name in England with Arsenal and Chelsea, returned the favour when it was Mbappe's turn to get on the scoresheet.He launched a 74th-minute counter-attack that ended with the France number 10 using all his power to hammer a shot past Wojciech Szczesny in Poland's goal.With Giroud substituted to give his ageing legs a rest, Mbappe went on to

Related News
Didier Deschamps was gutted after holders France came "back from the dead" only to lose on penalties in an emotional roller coaster of a World Cup final against Argentina.
LUSAIL, Qatar : Following are the starting lineups for Argentina and France for Sunday's World Cup final at Lusail Stadium:
DOHA : After 63 matches, the World Cup in Qatar comes to a close on Sunday when reigning champions France take on Argentina in a showpiece final at Lusail Stadium with both teams looking to add a third star to their crest.
Gareth Southgate will stay on as England manager and spearhead their Euro 2024 qualification campaign, according to reports in the UK.

Latest News

Change privacy settings
This page might use cookies if your analytics vendor requires them.