Even after another brilliant Kylian Mbappe performance at this World Cup, this was a night that belonged to Olivier Giroud.
Mbappe sparkled here at the Al Thumama Stadium, assisting one and scoring two as France beat Poland 3-1 to book a place in the quarter-finals.
But Mbappe’s speed and trickery, which twice literally had Polish defenders landing on their backsides, was overshadowed by Giroud becoming France’s record goalscorer.
It is fitting that Giroud now receives plenty of plaudits, as for so long he has spent much of his career out of the limelight and acting as a foil for others to shine.
You will not find many forwards, in fact many players full-stop, who don’t enjoy playing with Giroud and the way his France team-mates mobbed him after he scored shortly before half-time summed up the love they have for him.
That was Giroud’s 52nd goal for his country, taking him ahead of Thierry Henry. Also in the top five are Antoine Griezmann, Michel Platini and Karim Benzema.
Not bad company for Giroud to keep, who in 2015 admitted he deserved to be called a lamp post after a poor performance as Arsenal crashed out of the Champions League to Monaco.
The lamp post has come a long way since then, enjoying a glittering career that would be the envy of many players. He has won the Champions League, Europa League, FA Cup, Premier League, Ligue 1 and Serie A.
Giroud also has a World Cup winners’ medal to his name and he will be eyeing another one after France navigated their way past Poland here.
Didier Deschamps’ side were not at their brilliant best and they had goalkeeper Hugo Lloris to thank for keeping the game at 0-0 when Piotr Zielinski squandered a glorious chance in the 37th minute.
Poland, as they did a few times in the first-half, got in down the right and a cut-back found Zielinski in acres of space. The goal was gaping, but somehow Lloris denied him.
Poland were ultimately made to pay for that miss as, minutes later, Giroud found the net. It was, of course, Mbappe who found him as he slid the ball through the defence.
Giroud took one touch, steadied himself, before slightly scuffing an effort into the bottom corner.
It was hardly the most attractive finish, but it was certainly effective. A goal that in many ways sums up Giroud’s career.
The numbers don’t lie, he will go down as one of France’s great players.
Mbappe, truth be told, looks like he is heading that way too. After setting up Giroud, he scored France’s second by smashing an effort home from the edge of the box.
Minutes later, he helped himself to a second by curling one into the top corner from just inside the penalty area.
A memorable night for him and Giroud, and even a late Robert Lewandowski penalty couldn’t take the gloss off it.
