good to see the mongeese are getting into the World Cup spirit https://t.co/jzhYNJAOzr
— GOLIKEHELLMACHINE (@golikehellmachi) December 2, 2022
Later today: France vs Poland. pic.twitter.com/qaRMLGHfXO
— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) December 4, 2022
Al Jazeera:
France will start their World Cup last-16 clash as overwhelming favourites but Poland are well equipped to derail Les Bleus’ title defence at Al Thumama Stadium.
France qualified for the knockout phase with a game to spare after two stylish performances against Australia and Denmark but lost the final group match to Tunisia after resting several key players.
Poland went through despite a 2-0 loss to Argentina in their final group game, carried through the opening phase by their sturdy defence and the touch of striker Robert Lewandowski.
France will enter the contest with most of their top players having recharged their batteries but patience, more than energy, might be key against Poland…
Poland, meanwhile, have moved to the knockout stages for the first time in 36 years after finishing second in their group behind Argentina.
Poland have been resolute at the back, having conceded just twice in the tournament. A lot of that is down to the heroics of their keeper Wojcieh Szczesny, who has arguably been their best player so far. He is the only goalkeeper this World Cup to have saved penalty kicks, including one by Lionel Messi.
But for all of Poland’s defensive resolve, they have been far from prolific in front of goal and have scored just twice this World Cup, both goals coming against Saudi Arabia. But Poland coach Czeslaw Michniewicz bristled at the criticism his side’s conservative approach has received.
“The ones that weren’t playing defensively at the World Cup are back home watching on TV. Now we’re out of the group phase, so we will change our plans,” Michniewicz said ahead of Sunday’s game against France.
“Our luggage is not packed, we weren’t ready to go home before playing Argentina and we’re not ready to go home now,” he added.
The winner of Sunday’s match will face either England or Senegal in the quarter-finals.
hilts
Vive la France!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwKQ1lOYYKM
Omnes Omnibus
Allez les Bleus!
eclare
@Omnes Omnibus: Same. Mbappe is so fun to watch.
Alison Rose
Matty Cash sounds like the name of a white British rapper.
Omnes Omnibus
Putain! Giroud!
JML
I’m rooting for Poland (it’s my buddy’s team and one of my club guys plays for them) but I don’t have a lot of hope. France is very good and Mbappe is ridiculous.
VeniceRiley
I am watching in UHD on BBC iPlayer and there is a slight delay from broadcast. But worth it for the clarity. Its boring enough when I can see. Still less boring than defrosting the freezer drawers, if only just.
Omnes Omnibus
@JML: France has been my second side for when the US has been eliminated in Footie and Rugby since the ’90s.
Omnes Omnibus
A barrage from Poland.
Omnes Omnibus
Giroud has the French record.
JML
oh, that’s a tough one right before half. Poland had played it pretty even, so that’s a gut punch.
JML
Fox announcing team sucks, BTW and I hate the fact they’re trying to shove a sideline reporter into the broadcast. It’s a dumb idea in US football, and it’s useless in World Cup.
Omnes Omnibus
Lloris is playing well but having to work harder than he had hoped.
phdesmond
Poland is really good.
Montanareddog
@Alison Rose: you probably know this but Matty Cash is English, born and bred. But he has Polish maternal grandparents which made him eligible.
Alison Rose
@Montanareddog: Yeah, I’d meant to add “…not a white British footballer” but I got distracted by the game and missed my edit window.
Omnes Omnibus
Poland is getting hammered here.
Alison Rose
@Omnes Omnibus: and not in any kind of fun way
JML
Poland has let France set the terms in the second half. They’re playing to deep and it’s playing right into France’s additional aggression. Need to get back on the front foot here if they’re going to have a chance.
Man, Mbappe is good, though. Best player in the Cup?
Alison Rose
@JML: He heard you and wanted to confirm your suggestion.
phdesmond
@JML:
with that goal, mbappe does it! for me.
Omnes Omnibus
If you give Mbappe that kind of opening….
VeniceRiley
Mbappe on his wY to a golden boot. With everything Poland has been through this year, I was hoping for a better result for them.
Omnes Omnibus
Wow.
phdesmond
another mbappe goal! in three games so far he’s scored.
Alison Rose
Fucking a. That was a stunner.
Scout211
Wow.
FranceMbappe is fun to watch.Alison Rose
LOL did he say “a little shin and tonic”? Clever, Stu.
Alison Rose
Damn. Mbappé has the same number of career WC goals as Messi, who is 11 years older than him.
cope
Hate those stutter step PKs but good for Lewandowski.
Omnes Omnibus
Lewandowski gets a consolation goal.
JML
Poland played well enough they deserved to have a goal on the final tally, you know? France was the better team, and Mbappe looks unstoppable.
An England/France quarter could be awfully compelling…
Paul in KY
Mbappe is in the form right now where you can have his shot covered, etc. but he still rifles it by you. What an athlete!