France defeated Poland in the quarter-finals of the World Cup

Defending champions France beat Poland 3-1 on Sunday to qualify for the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup

Things could have been different for Poland, who came within inches of an opener in the 37th minute, only to see Jakub Kaminski's shot cleared off the line by Raphael Varane.

Olivier Giroud's record-breaking strike late in the first half gave France the lead.

The 36-year-old produced a smart finish inside the area for his 52nd goal for France, surpassing Les Bleus legend Thierry Henry as the country's all-time top scorer.

The second leg at the Al Thumama Stadium featured young French superstar Kylian Mbappe.

He doubled the advantage in the 74th minute, blasting a crisp shot past Poland goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny to end a French counterattack.

Mbappe was on the scoresheet again in stoppage time with a curler that nestled into the top corner of Szejsny.

Poland went behind by a goal in the last minute from the penalty.

Deot Upmechano was adjudged to have handled the ball and Robert Lewandowski scored two tries to grab the goal for Poland.

France will find out their quarter-final opponents after the second leg between England and Senegal at the Al Bayet Stadium on Sunday. - Organizations