Kylian Mbappe (right) of France drives the ball under pressure from Matty Cash of Poland on December 4, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. Photo: VCG

Kylian Mbappe set up a history-making goal for Olivier Giroud and then scored two himself as holders France eased into the World Cup quarterfinals with a 3-1 win over Poland on Sunday.

Giroud's opening goal a minute before halftime was his 52nd for his country, allowing him to pass Thierry Henry and become France's all-time record marksman.

Mbappe's lethal strike in the 74th minute killed off any prospect of a Poland comeback and he netted again at the death to move to nine goals in just 11 World Cup appearances.

At the other end, the threat of Robert Lewandowski was snuffed out by the French defiance although the 34-year-old Poland captain did get the consolation of scoring a stoppage-time penalty.

France march on to the quarterfinals and are on course to become the first team to successfully defend the World Cup since Brazil 60 years ago.

"It wasn't easy because Poland were well organized and tried to counter us," France coach ­Didier Deschamps told broadcaster TF1.

"Then there is Kylian with his ability to resolve all sorts of problems, and that's just as well for us."

France were overwhelming favorites against a Poland side who limped through the group stage.

Mbappe returned as one of nine changes following their inconsequential defeat by Tunisia, with goalkeeper and captain Hugo Lloris also coming back to win his 142nd cap.

That saw him equal the ­record for most France appearances, held by Lilian Thuram, whose son Marcus came off the bench in this match.

France's pace and pressing was too much for Poland as Przemyslaw Frankowski gave possession away, leading to Ousmane Dembele crossing to the back post for Giroud to put the ball wide.

Poland recovered from a tentative start to almost go ahead in the 38th minute when Lloris blocked Piotr Zielinski's shot and Jakub Kaminski's follow-up was stopped on the line by ­Raphael Varane.

Those misses proved crucial as France seized the lead a minute before halftime.

Patient build-up play ended with Mbappe having a glance as he received the ball just outside the box before playing in Giroud, who took a touch and finished into the far corner.

Poland were left to chase the game in the second half and they sent on Juventus striker Arkadiusz Milik to support Lewandowski for the final half hour.

However, their attack was no match for France, who picked off Poland to make it 2-0. An Antoine Griezmann clearance was brought down by Giroud and he released Dembele, whose ball into the middle was controlled before being blasted home by Mbappe.

It was an emphatic finish and was followed by another of a similar caliber from a Thuram assist in stoppage time.

Only Just Fontaine, who scored 13 in 1958, has scored more World Cup goals for France than Mbappe.

Lewandowski pulled one back right at the end, converting a retaken penalty that was awarded for handball by Dayot Upamecano.