bluesfan94
Registered User
Teams: France v. Poland
Time and Date (CST): Sunday, December 4, 9:00 AM
Venue: Al Thumama Stadium
Storyline: The first intra-confederation Round of 16 match features two UEFA sides (as might be expected), as the defending champions France face off against Poland. France entered the tournament as one of the most talented teams in the world, even with injuries to elite players such as current Ballon d'Or holder Karim Benzema. The French team got off to a slow start against Australia and gave up an early goal, prompting some to wonder about the winner's curse that has plagued World Cup champions in years past. However, France's talented offense kicked into gear, led by forward Kylian Mbappe and mercurial midfielder Adrien Rabiot, leading to a 4-1 finish. France dispatched Denmark in a spirited match that finished 2-1 with Mbappe's 86th minute goal breaking the deadlock. In their final game, assured of advancing, France started a hodgepodge of players, leading to a 1-0 upset by Tunisia, albeit a match where France had a late equalizer ruled off by a questionable VAR decision. France remains one of the favorites to win the tournament and must be considered the favorite to move on and face the winner of England and Senegal.
Poland, meanwhile, got through their group just barely. Despite having one of the best strikers in the world, Robert Lewandowski, Poland only managed to score in one of their matches, following up a scrappy 0-0 draw against Mexico with a 2-0 defeat over Saudi Arabia, a result that is perhaps more impressive when remembering that that same Saudi team had just defeated Messi's Argentina. Entering their final match, Poland needed a win or draw to ensure their advance. A loss would require some help in the game between Mexico and Saudi Arabia, and Poland received that assistance. Poland lost 2-0 to Argentina in a match where Poland never looked a threat and where goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny put on a phenomenal display, including stopping a Messi penalty. Still, with Mexico up 2-0 in the later stages of its match, Poland was looking to advance based on fair play points - they ended up with two fewer yellow cards than Mexico. A stoppage time goal from Saudi Arabia made goal differential the determining factor in the end, but another goal by Mexico would have sent Poland packing.
As might be expected with confederation rivals, these teams have played each other a lot, starting in 1939, a match France won 4-0. Overall, France has won 8 matches, including the most recent match in 2011, the teams have drawn on 6 occasions, and Poland has won three matches, including the only World Cup game between the two sides in 1982.[/CENTER]
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