Age gap no problem for deadly France striking pair of Mbappe and Giroud

Olivier Giroud of France (centre) is tackled by Jakub Kiwior of Poland (right) during the Fifa World Cup Qatar 2022 Round of 16 match between France and Poland at Al Thumama Stadium on 4 December, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo: Marvin Ibo Guengoer - GES Sportfoto/Getty Images)

By William Schomberg

5 Dec 2022

The combination of Kylian Mbappe and Olivier Giroud has proven to be sensational and imperative for France’s hopes of defending their Fifa World Cup title in Qatar.

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 23-year-old Mbappe is blessed with pace so explosive that the screens at the Al Thumama stadium showed him hitting a top speed of 35 kilometres per hour as he tormented Poland’s defence.

Kylian Mbappe of France during the Fifa World Cup Qatar 2022 Round of 16 match between France and Poland at Al Thumama Stadium on 4 December, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo: Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)

It was not supposed to be this way in Qatar. Giroud looked set for a secondary role for the World Cup holders until the team’s number one centre forward Karim Benzema pulled out with an injury on the eve of the tournament.

Mbappe and Benzema have forged a promising partnership for France in the past, but the young Paris Saint 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.

Olivier Giroud of France celebrates the first goal of Kylian Mbappe of France during the Fifa World Cup Qatar 2022 Round of 16 match between France and Poland at Al Thumama Stadium on 4 December, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo: Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)

The goal also made Giroud — at 36 years and 65 days old — the oldest scorer in a World Cup knockout match since Cameroon’s Roger Milla against Colombia in 1990 in a last-16 game.

“Giroud is an incredible player, there are many who say it now,” French coach Didier Deschamps told reporters.

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“He was much criticised, but Olivier has the mindset to fight. When he is not decisive, he is so useful to the team. But like any centre forward, he prefers the collective victory. Winning with this goal-scoring record, it’s quite something [for him].”

Favour returned

Giroud, who plays for AC Milan in Italy 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 Szczęsny in Poland’s goal.

With Giroud substituted to give his ageing legs a rest, Mbappe went on to claim his second goal, curling a shot into the top corner in added time before Robert Lewandowski claimed a penalty consolation goal for Poland.

The brace meant Mbappe became the youngest player to reach five knockout-stage goals at a World Cup since Brazil great Pele in 1958, when he was 17, according to data firm Opta.

While France’s defence showed it was far from impregnable at times in the Poland match, their quarterfinal opponents, England, will not have missed how Ousmane Dembele, Antoine Griezmann and substitute Marcus Thuram also dazzled for Les Bleus.

The way France piled forward in numbers from the start of Sunday’s match drew a sharp contrast with Poland’s approach as Lewandowski, one of the world’s most prolific strikers, was left to play a lone striker role for much of the evening.

He had publicly called on Poland coach Czeslaw Michniewicz last year to give him a strike partner and a better chance of finding the net, which he did so often in the Bundesliga for Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich before moving to Barcelona.

His frustration was palpable once again after France’s scintillating attacking display when the 34-year-old was asked by Polish media if he planned to play in the next World Cup.

“It’s still a long way to go and, obviously, you need to enjoy the game,” he said. “If we attack, try to attack, it’s a bit different. But if we play defensively, there’s no joy.”

As for the deadly duo of Mbappe and Giroud, they will look to carry on lighting up the stadiums of Qatar with their great understanding. DM/Reuters

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Favour returned