Kylian Mbappe celebrated Olivier Giroud’s goal against England by playfully slapping him multiple times. The latest episode in Kylian Mbappe and Giroud’s bromance in the World Cup.
The FIFA World Cup in Qatar just keeps on giving. Spain, Portugal, and now England, the giants of the game have fallen from grace, paving the way for Morocco and France to book a place in the semi-finals.
The quarter-final clash between England and France was indeed a clash of titans. The title contenders were raring to go against the reigning champions, and the fans and pundits gave England the edge over Les Bleus. Harry Kane was touted to be the saviour and Kyle Walker was supposed to see off Kylian Mbappe on the flanks.
Instead, Kane missed a penalty after scoring the one before and Walker steamed out of gas while trying to poach Mbappe.
The result was a French victory courtesy of Aurelien Tchouameni’s sumptuous strike and Olivier Giroud’s thunderous header to beat England’s number one, Jordan Pickford.
Giroud now has four goals in this World Cup and 53 goals for his country. The 36-year-old is on a buoyant run in Qatar and is only behind Mbappe’s tally of five goals in the tournament.
Giroud’s goal against England came when the Three Lions were pushing hard for their second goal.
Although, Antoine Griezmann received the ball on the left flank outside the box and played a beautiful cross right into the centre. Giroud strong-armed Harry Maguire to get a touch on the ball which ricocheted off Maguire and went past Pickford.
The French supporters jumped in pure, unadulterated joy. Giroud had done it again.
The usual celebration of pumping a fist in the air was done and Giroud had yet to embrace Mbappe. And it happened again.
After the rest of his teammates left Giroud unguarded, Mbappe displayed his excitement with quick, playful slaps on both his cheeks. Giroud couldn’t help but smile while his head bobbed.
This expression was again a testament to Giroud-Mbappe’s unique camaraderie, which was earlier on display against Poland when the duo recreated the Notebook pose after the French number nine scored the first goal of the match.
For France, Mbappe seems to have let his personal accomplishments aside. And at this hour, Didier Deschamps couldn’t ask for anything more than to see his two flourishing forwards, having the time of their lives on the pitch.
The Giroud-Mbappe partnership now faces Morocco who have conceded only one goal in the tournament so far. The Moroccans are on a dream run, but Giroud and Mbappe’s budding romance might put a huge dent in their once-in-a-lifetime ambition.
