France continue their World Cup campaign at the round of 16 stage on Sunday, as they clash with Poland. It will be a historic moment for Poland, as they will be competing in the knockout stage at the World Cup for the first time since 1986.
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There will be an all-European clash in the round of 16 on Sunday, as France lock horns with Poland at Al Thumama Stadium. France may have been beaten in their final group stage game against Tunisia, but they will recall all their star players for this knockout stage fixture. In qualifying for the round of 16, France became the first reigning World Cup champions to reach the knockout stage since Brazil in 2006.
The French were dominant in their opening two matches in Group D, as they ensured that the hard work was done in their first fixtures. Kylian Mbappe was in stunning form in both fixtures, scoring on three occasions. The win that ultimately secured their passage through to the next round was a 2-1 success against Denmark last weekend.
Poland will be competing in the knockout stage at the World Cup for the first time since 1986. However, it’s likely that they used up all their luck to reach this stage, as they only managed to qualify courtesy of having a single goal better goal difference than Mexico. The Poles would have had few complaints if they had crashed out in the group stage, as they were exceptionally poor against Argentina.
In a game where Poland could have topped the group with a point, they were passive throughout and failed to manage even a single shot on target. There was no urgency from the nation after going 1-0 down, and they were always reliant on Mexico not getting the win by the required margin.
France vs Poland Head to Head
Poland won the only previous meeting between the two nations at the World Cup in 1982. However, France is unbeaten in seven previous meetings against Poland in all competitions, recording three wins during that period.
France vs Poland Prediction
Poland will need to be much better than they were against Argentina if they are to stand any chance of progression. However, we struggle to see past the French, who have won all five matches that they have played in the round of 16 at the World Cup.
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