Despite losing their respective last group-stage campaigns, the defending champions France and Poland somewhat managed to qualify for the Last-16, preparing to lock horns on Sunday at the Al-Thumama Stadium.
Notably, the reigning champions France, summit top in Group D with 6-points after winning first-two matches against Denmark and Australia, while lost the last game against Tunisia by 1-0.
On the other hand, Group C inhabitant Poland remained lucky regarding qualifications, winning just one of its three games while advancing to the Round of 16, besting Mexico on goals-differential.
Playing under new manager Didier Deschamps, the French side showdown quite a neat football performance, defeating Australia in the opening match by 4-1 and then hammered Denmark by 2-1. However, they failed to battle out Tunisia in the last group clash, losing by 1-0.
Meanwhile, Michnieqicz’s side, without their best shooting shoes, still managed to book its slot in the quarter-finals. Poland played their tournament opener against Mexico and ended up in a goalless draw. In the 2nd match, they defeated Saudi Arabia by 2-0, while in the very next clash beaten to event’s high Argentina by 2-0.
With mere five hits on the target in the 2022 FIFA World Cup and remembering its historic victory over its counterpart 40 years ago, Poland hopes to pull off an upset against the comparatively hardcore French side. While Les Bleus’ men have a seven-matches victory streak over Poland, and they would like to continue it.
France possible starting lineup:
Lloris; Kounde, Varane, Upamecano, T. Hernandez; Tchouameni, Rabiot; Dembele, Griezmann, Mbappe; Giroud
Poland possible starting lineup:
Szczesny; Cash, Glik, Kiwior, Bereszynski; Frankowski, Bielik, Krychowiak, Zielinski; Lewandowski, Milik
