How do you deal with a Kylian Mbappe? Those marauding runs, the step-overs, the powerful volleys, the cutbacks and the passes to teammates. At a time when modern football’s two most famous names are getting ready to leave the stage, the need for a truly global star was the need of the hour.

Mbappe has arrived.

The France forward once again showed the world why he is a superstar as he produced an outstanding performance to beat Poland 3-1 — Robert Lewandowski finally scored off a penalty which became the last touch of the match — in a Round-of-16 clash at the Al Thumama Stadium on Sunday.

Two goals and an assist to Olivier Giroud for France’s first, Mbappe was unstoppable against the bewildered Poles. His performance has set the tone for Didier Deschamps’ men in their bid to defend the World Cup.

They just need three more wins to stand on the victory podium at the Lusail Stadium on December 18 and Mbappe, already with five goals against his name, is the man they hope will take them there.

What a game he had against Poland. Of all the runs down the flanks he made on Sunday, the scariest one was the one when he zoomed past his marker as if he was not just there. The giant screen at the stadium showed he clocked 35kmph! Usain Bolt used to hit the 37kmph mark during his 100 metres sprint.

The speed was so enthralling to watch that at times it looked as if Poland could ask for a water break every two minutes. They just had no clue how to deal with Mbappe. The two goals he scored — his second brace after the one against Denmark — had class stamped on them.

The first one, France’s second, was in the left corner of the net and the next one to the right corner. In both the cases, Wojciech Szczesny, Poland’sgoalkeeper, had no chance. The power, the trajectory, the spin on the ball... everything was out of the world. At 23 years and 349 days, Mbappeis now the youngest player to reach five knockout stage goals at the World Cup since Pele in 1958 when he was 17 years 249 days.

There was another record for the Les Bleus. Giroud became their all-time highest scorer surpassing Thierry Henry’s 51 goals. The 36-year-old has 52 now.

Giroud arrived in Qatarknowing he would not get much chance to play. Karim Benzema, back in the France national team mix since Euro 2022, was the first choice for coach Didier Deschamps. But as luck would have it, Benzema was ruled out with injury and that propelled Giroud to the No. 1 striker’s spot.

France have been ravaged by injuries to key players. But that didn’t let Deschamps lose focus. For he knows he has an ace up his sleeve. And that’s Mbappe. Yes, there is Antoine Griezmann, or an Ousmane Dembele or Giroud, but Mbappe is the man — the world’s most dangerous and decisive footballer.