France's Olivier Giroud and Kylian Mbappe both scored during their team's World Cup last 16 win over Poland at the Al Thumama Stadium on Sunday, December 4, 2022. AFP
France's Olivier Giroud and Kylian Mbappe both scored during their team's World Cup last 16 win over Poland at the Al Thumama Stadium on Sunday, December 4, 2022. AFP
France's Kylian Mbappe scores his team's second goal against Poland. Reuters
France's Kylian Mbappe scores his team's second goal against Poland. Reuters
France forward Kylian Mbappe celebrates with teammates after scoring his team's second goal. AFP
France forward Kylian Mbappe celebrates with teammates after scoring his team's second goal. AFP
Kylian Mbappe of France is challenged by Piotr Zielinski of Poland. Getty
Kylian Mbappe of France is challenged by Piotr Zielinski of Poland. Getty
Kylian Mbappe celebrates after scoring France's third goal. Getty
Kylian Mbappe celebrates after scoring France's third goal. Getty
Olivier Giroud opened the scoring for France against Poland on Sunday. AFP
Olivier Giroud opened the scoring for France against Poland on Sunday. AFP
France's Olivier Giroud scores the opening goal at the Al Thumama Stadium. AP
France's Olivier Giroud scores the opening goal at the Al Thumama Stadium. AP
Olivier Giroud of France celebrates after scoring. Getty
Olivier Giroud of France celebrates after scoring. Getty
Poland's goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, defender Matthew Cash and France's Raphael Varane lie on the pitch after a collision. AFP
Poland's goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, defender Matthew Cash and France's Raphael Varane lie on the pitch after a collision. AFP
Bartosz Bereszynski of Poland is booked> EPA
Bartosz Bereszynski of Poland is booked> EPA
Robert Lewandowski of Poland reacts after France scored their second goal. Getty
Robert Lewandowski of Poland reacts after France scored their second goal. Getty
France's defender Jules Kounde fights for the ball with Poland's Przemyslaw Frankowski. AFP
France's defender Jules Kounde fights for the ball with Poland's Przemyslaw Frankowski. AFP

World Cup

Kylian Mbappe: Winning a second World Cup my 'obsession'

French forward was integral to French success in Russia four years ago and has sights set on retaining the World Cup in Qatar

Steve Luckings
Steve Luckings

December 05, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

Kylian Mbappe said winning the World Cup a second time is "an obsession for me" after his two goals in France's 3-1 win over Poland set up a quarter-final showdown with England.

Mbappe was an integral part of the French team that lifted the last World Cup in Russia four years ago and the 23-year-old Paris Saint-Germain striker has looked imperious in Qatar with five goals already in only four games.

"Of course, this World Cup is an obsession for me, it's the competition of my dreams," he said. "I have built my season around this competition and around being ready both physically and mentally for it.

"I wanted to come here ready and so far things are going well, but we are still a long way from the objective we set and that I set."

Mbappe's brace against Poland in Sunday's last-16 clash took his tally to nine goals in 11 World Cup matches, second only to Just Fontaine's record of 13 (six matches) set at the 1958 World Cup in Sweden.

However, Mbappe insisted he was not bothered about the prospect of winning the Golden Ball for the tournament's best player.

"The only objective for me is to win the World Cup which means now to win the quarter-final," said Mbappe, who also set up the opening goal against Poland for Olivier Giroud.

"That is what I am dreaming of. I didn't come here to win the Golden Ball. That is not why I am here. I am here to win and help the French national team."

France v Poland ratings

FRANCE RATINGS: Hugo Lloris - 6, Put Dayot Upamecano in an awkward situation with his early pass, had another poor ball intercepted by Przemyslaw Frankowski and got away with dropping the ball. However, he did make an important save to deny Piotr Zielinski. Was way off his line when saving Robert Lewandowski’s first penalty attempt and was sent the wrong way the second time. AFP
FRANCE RATINGS: Hugo Lloris - 6, Put Dayot Upamecano in an awkward situation with his early pass, had another poor ball intercepted by Przemyslaw Frankowski and got away with dropping the ball. However, he did make an important save to deny Piotr Zielinski. Was way off his line when saving Robert Lewandowski’s first penalty attempt and was sent the wrong way the second time. AFP
Jules Kounde - 7, Hit a powerful strike straight at Wojciech Szczesny and played a decent cross for a Giroud chance. Put in a solid defensive performance and held off Frankowski after Lloris’ poor pass. In fact, the most flustered he looked all game is when he was pulled up for wearing jewellery. AFP
Jules Kounde - 7, Hit a powerful strike straight at Wojciech Szczesny and played a decent cross for a Giroud chance. Put in a solid defensive performance and held off Frankowski after Lloris’ poor pass. In fact, the most flustered he looked all game is when he was pulled up for wearing jewellery. AFP
Raphael Varane - 7, Rose well for an early header but it was comfortably off target. Got away with a poor pass but then made a great clearance off the line to deny Jakub Kaminski and looked confident in a lot of his play after that. Reuters
Raphael Varane - 7, Rose well for an early header but it was comfortably off target. Got away with a poor pass but then made a great clearance off the line to deny Jakub Kaminski and looked confident in a lot of his play after that. Reuters
Dayot Upamecano - 5, Didn’t always look comfortable as he just about escaped Poland’s early press in the French box, then made a clean challenge after a poor touch. Handled Kamil Grosicki’s cross to concede a penalty. AFP
Dayot Upamecano - 5, Didn’t always look comfortable as he just about escaped Poland’s early press in the French box, then made a clean challenge after a poor touch. Handled Kamil Grosicki’s cross to concede a penalty. AFP
Theo Hernandez - 7, Provided strong defending that was too much for Kaminski. Blocked Zielinski’s shot well but hit his own shot comfortably wide at the other end. Did brilliantly to stop Kaminski reaching Frankowski’s cross. AFP
Theo Hernandez - 7, Provided strong defending that was too much for Kaminski. Blocked Zielinski’s shot well but hit his own shot comfortably wide at the other end. Did brilliantly to stop Kaminski reaching Frankowski’s cross. AFP
Aurelien Tchouameni - 7, Often looked composed, notably when he held off Robert Lewandowski in a potentially awkward position. Saw a good strike from range saved and did well to regain possession for Dembele’s chance. Booked for a challenge on Frankowski. AFP
Aurelien Tchouameni - 7, Often looked composed, notably when he held off Robert Lewandowski in a potentially awkward position. Saw a good strike from range saved and did well to regain possession for Dembele’s chance. Booked for a challenge on Frankowski. AFP
Adrien Rabiot - 9, Moved the ball well and helped out his defenders, notably making a great recovery run and tackle after Hernandez had been nutmegged by Kaminski. Quietly went about his business but his display was a superb one. AFP
Adrien Rabiot - 9, Moved the ball well and helped out his defenders, notably making a great recovery run and tackle after Hernandez had been nutmegged by Kaminski. Quietly went about his business but his display was a superb one. AFP
Ousmane Dembele - 7, Didn’t make the most of a good opening with a tame shot but teed up Giroud for his missed chance. While he didn’t always provide a quality end product, he picked out Mbappe for France’s second. Getty
Ousmane Dembele - 7, Didn’t make the most of a good opening with a tame shot but teed up Giroud for his missed chance. While he didn’t always provide a quality end product, he picked out Mbappe for France’s second. Getty
Antoine Griezmann - 8, Did well in both boxes, and was unlucky when a good flick was saved, then did well to block Kaminski’s shot. Worked Szczesny with a threatening free-kick delivery. Took up some great positions and played lovely passes. His clearance from an awkward situation started the move for France’s second. AFP
Antoine Griezmann - 8, Did well in both boxes, and was unlucky when a good flick was saved, then did well to block Kaminski’s shot. Worked Szczesny with a threatening free-kick delivery. Took up some great positions and played lovely passes. His clearance from an awkward situation started the move for France’s second. AFP
Kylian Mbappe - 10, Slid the ball through to Olivier Giroud brilliantly for the opener after taking a slightly more central position. Provided a brilliant finish to double France’s lead, then hit another beautiful effort into the top corner. Getty
Kylian Mbappe - 10, Slid the ball through to Olivier Giroud brilliantly for the opener after taking a slightly more central position. Provided a brilliant finish to double France’s lead, then hit another beautiful effort into the top corner. Getty
Olivier Giroud - 8, Couldn’t quite reach Griezmann’s through ball and wasted a chance at the back post, but he returned to finish clinically and open the scoring. Was unfortunate that his acrobatic goal didn’t count. Hit the sidenetting from a tight angle. Provided a wonderful touch in the build-up to Mbappe’s goal. AFP
Olivier Giroud - 8, Couldn’t quite reach Griezmann’s through ball and wasted a chance at the back post, but he returned to finish clinically and open the scoring. Was unfortunate that his acrobatic goal didn’t count. Hit the sidenetting from a tight angle. Provided a wonderful touch in the build-up to Mbappe’s goal. AFP
SUBS: Youssouf Fofana (Tchouameni, 66’) - 6, Looked comfortable in the middle of the pitch and moved the ball nicely. AFP
SUBS: Youssouf Fofana (Tchouameni, 66’) - 6, Looked comfortable in the middle of the pitch and moved the ball nicely. AFP
Kingsley Coman (Dembele, 76’) – N/R, Almost found Marcus Thuram with a cross after breezing past Bartosz Bereszynski in one of a few promising moments. Getty
Kingsley Coman (Dembele, 76’) – N/R, Almost found Marcus Thuram with a cross after breezing past Bartosz Bereszynski in one of a few promising moments. Getty
Marcus Thuram (Giroud, 76’) – N/R, Kept things simple to maintain possession well, whether that was through his passing or body positioning. Toyed with Cash before teeing up Mbappe for the third. Axel Disasi (Kounde, 92’) – N/R. Getty
Marcus Thuram (Giroud, 76’) – N/R, Kept things simple to maintain possession well, whether that was through his passing or body positioning. Toyed with Cash before teeing up Mbappe for the third. Axel Disasi (Kounde, 92’) – N/R. Getty
POLAND RATINGS: Wojciech Szczesny - 6, His save to deny Tchouameni’s shot from range was one of a host of stops from the Polish goalkeeper. He also bravely met Giroud’s ball under pressure from Dembele and made a strong punch over the top of Varane. Nothing he could do about any of the goals despite him getting a fingertip to the last. AFP
POLAND RATINGS: Wojciech Szczesny - 6, His save to deny Tchouameni’s shot from range was one of a host of stops from the Polish goalkeeper. He also bravely met Giroud’s ball under pressure from Dembele and made a strong punch over the top of Varane. Nothing he could do about any of the goals despite him getting a fingertip to the last. AFP
Matty Cash - 6, Was given a torrid time by Mbappe. Was unlucky to see his fizzed ball go through everybody. Took a heavy blow when Szczesny came out to punch a cross and began to tire towards the end, getting booked for a late foul on Thuram. Getty
Matty Cash - 6, Was given a torrid time by Mbappe. Was unlucky to see his fizzed ball go through everybody. Took a heavy blow when Szczesny came out to punch a cross and began to tire towards the end, getting booked for a late foul on Thuram. Getty
Kamil Glik - 5, Wasn’t afraid to step out and win the ball but showed a lack of awareness when doing so on one occasion to open up space that Giroud exploited for the opener. Couldn’t get out to Mbappe quickly enough for either of his goals. Did well to reach Zielinski’s cross but couldn’t keep his header down. Getty
Kamil Glik - 5, Wasn’t afraid to step out and win the ball but showed a lack of awareness when doing so on one occasion to open up space that Giroud exploited for the opener. Couldn’t get out to Mbappe quickly enough for either of his goals. Did well to reach Zielinski’s cross but couldn’t keep his header down. Getty
Jakub Kiwior - 5, His passing was poor at times and Dembele’s tame attempt meant he got away with losing the ball in a poor position. Made a good header to stop Giroud meeting Tchouameni’s clipped pass but was then beaten too easily by the striker as he opened the scoring. Reuters
Jakub Kiwior - 5, His passing was poor at times and Dembele’s tame attempt meant he got away with losing the ball in a poor position. Made a good header to stop Giroud meeting Tchouameni’s clipped pass but was then beaten too easily by the striker as he opened the scoring. Reuters
Bartosz Bereszynski - 6, Fouled Griezmann inside the opening 20 seconds, but didn’t let that impact him and put in a good defensive display for large periods. Was unlucky to be booked for a recovery tackle on Dembele, although he struggled a bit as the game approached the latter stages. PA
Bartosz Bereszynski - 6, Fouled Griezmann inside the opening 20 seconds, but didn’t let that impact him and put in a good defensive display for large periods. Was unlucky to be booked for a recovery tackle on Dembele, although he struggled a bit as the game approached the latter stages. PA
Grzegorz Krychowiak - 7, Often picked his passes well, which played a key role in Poland looking better on the ball than they have for most of the World Cup. When he didn’t do that and conceded possession in a dangerous area, he recovered to block Mbappe’s shot. AFP
Grzegorz Krychowiak - 7, Often picked his passes well, which played a key role in Poland looking better on the ball than they have for most of the World Cup. When he didn’t do that and conceded possession in a dangerous area, he recovered to block Mbappe’s shot. AFP
Jakub Kaminski - 6, Pressed well at times and had a shot cleared off the line by Varane, then saw a deflected shot hit the sidenetting. Delivered a disappointing cross from a promising position in a match that was frustrating at times due to Hernandez’s influence. Reuters
Jakub Kaminski - 6, Pressed well at times and had a shot cleared off the line by Varane, then saw a deflected shot hit the sidenetting. Delivered a disappointing cross from a promising position in a match that was frustrating at times due to Hernandez’s influence. Reuters
Piotr Zielinski - 6, Played a poor pass when there was a chance to counter, then had two shots in quick succession denied. Tried to make things happen with his passing, even if it didn’t always come off and had a period in the second half where he looked bright. Getty
Piotr Zielinski - 6, Played a poor pass when there was a chance to counter, then had two shots in quick succession denied. Tried to make things happen with his passing, even if it didn’t always come off and had a period in the second half where he looked bright. Getty
Sebastian Szymanski - 6, Good press to put Lloris under pressure and did brilliantly to get back and get the ball away from Mbappe as he set himself to shoot. There were times where he lost the ball too easily. AFP
Sebastian Szymanski - 6, Good press to put Lloris under pressure and did brilliantly to get back and get the ball away from Mbappe as he set himself to shoot. There were times where he lost the ball too easily. AFP
Przemyslaw Frankowski - 6, Rushed Upamecano and did well to challenge Mbappe in the early stages, although a poor touch and pass put his team in trouble. Put in some good work on the wing and delivered an inviting cross that Kaminski wasn’t quite able to reach. Getty
Przemyslaw Frankowski - 6, Rushed Upamecano and did well to challenge Mbappe in the early stages, although a poor touch and pass put his team in trouble. Put in some good work on the wing and delivered an inviting cross that Kaminski wasn’t quite able to reach. Getty
Robert Lewandowski - 6, Fired wide from range, then put too much on a pass out wide before hitting a disappointing free-kick into the wall. Was more involved in general play than he has been throughout most of the tournament but scuffed his late shot horribly wide. Was lucky to be given the opportunity to retake his penalty, sending Lloris the wrong way the second time. AP
Robert Lewandowski - 6, Fired wide from range, then put too much on a pass out wide before hitting a disappointing free-kick into the wall. Was more involved in general play than he has been throughout most of the tournament but scuffed his late shot horribly wide. Was lucky to be given the opportunity to retake his penalty, sending Lloris the wrong way the second time. AP
SUBS: Arkadiusz Milik (Szymanski, 64’) - 6, Tried to make things happen and came close to reaching his own pass in an awkward situation for the French defence. A heavy touch let him down after he’d reached Nicola Zalewski’s cross before he saw an acrobatic effort hit the post but was offside anyway. AP
SUBS: Arkadiusz Milik (Szymanski, 64’) - 6, Tried to make things happen and came close to reaching his own pass in an awkward situation for the French defence. A heavy touch let him down after he’d reached Nicola Zalewski’s cross before he saw an acrobatic effort hit the post but was offside anyway. AP
Nicola Zalewski (Kaminski, 71’) – N/R, Put his team in an awkward position with a poor pass but delivered an inviting cross for Milik. AP
Nicola Zalewski (Kaminski, 71’) – N/R, Put his team in an awkward position with a poor pass but delivered an inviting cross for Milik. AP
Krystian Bielik (Krychowiak, 71’) – N/R, Moved the ball well in the midfield and made a couple of good attempts to break up French play. AP
Krystian Bielik (Krychowiak, 71’) – N/R, Moved the ball well in the midfield and made a couple of good attempts to break up French play. AP
Jan Bednarek (Kiwior, 87’) – N/R, Was unable to stop Mbappe getting a French third. Getty
Jan Bednarek (Kiwior, 87’) – N/R, Was unable to stop Mbappe getting a French third. Getty
Kamil Grosicki (Frankowski, 87’) – N/R, Cut across Disasi and delivered a great cross for Milik’s chance before delivering more balls, with one of those getting a penalty. Reuters
Kamil Grosicki (Frankowski, 87’) – N/R, Cut across Disasi and delivered a great cross for Milik’s chance before delivering more balls, with one of those getting a penalty. Reuters

While the veteran Giroud netted his 52nd international goal to move past Thierry Henry and become France's all-time top scorer, Mbappe was once again France's outstanding player.

He had been named man of the match in France's opening two wins over Australia and Denmark only to shun his post-match media duties, exposing the French Football Federation to a fine from Fifa as a result.

However, after taking his France tally to 33 goals in 63 internationals, this time Mbappe showed up to speak to reporters.

"There were lots of people wondering why I was not speaking but it was nothing personal against the journalists," he said.

"I just needed to concentrate on my competition and when I need to focus it needs to be at 100 per cent. I can't lose energy on other things.

"That is why I didn't speak before. I have learnt that the federation is going to get a fine but I have promised personally to pay it."

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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On Women's Day
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Last-16

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What sanctions would be reimposed?

Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:

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  • A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
  • A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
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Difference between fractional ownership and timeshare

Although similar in its appearance, the concept of a fractional title deed is unlike that of a timeshare, which usually involves multiple investors buying “time” in a property whereby the owner has the right to occupation for a specified period of time in any year, as opposed to the actual real estate, said John Peacock, Head of Indirect Tax and Conveyancing, BSA Ahmad Bin Hezeem & Associates, a law firm.

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Based: Amman, Jordan

Sector: Education Technology

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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
What the law says

Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.

“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.

“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”

If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.

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