Two very interesting games today in Qatar in the Round of 16, a true classic is set up for the Quarter Finals, as France will meet England.
| O. Giroud 44′ K. Mbappe 74′, 90′ | R. Lewandowski 90′(p) |
Location: Al-Thumama Stadium, Al-Thumama
Referee: Jesus Valenzuela, Venezuela
France
Manager: D. Deschamps
Subs: Y. Fofana 66′, K. Coman 76′, M. Thuram 76′, A. Disasi 90′
Poland
Manager: C. Michniewicz
Subs: A. Milik 64′, N. Zalewski 71′, K. Bielik 71′, J. Bednarek 87′, K. Grosicki 87′
The beginning of the match was relatively even, with France having the upper hand, but Poland slowly getting into the game and having moments when they dominated the game. Surprisingly, Poland had the higher xG, 1.76 compared to France’s 1.35.
The Poles were playing much better than against Argentina and they were the better side towards the end of the first half, only for Giroud to open the scoring in the 44th minute. The second half was mostly about France and two brilliant goals by Mbappe sealed the deal! Lewandowski made it 3-1 after a penalty in injury time.
Poland are eliminated from the World Cup. France will play either Senegal or England in the Quarter Finals.
| J. Henderson 38′ H. Kane 45′ B. Saka 57′ |
Location: Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor
Referee: Ivan Arcides Barton Cisneros, El Salvador
England
Manager: G. Southgate
Subs: M. Rashford 65′, J. Grealish 65′, M. Mount 76′, E. Dier 76′, K. Phillips 82′
Senegal
Manager: A. Cissé
Subs: P. M. Sarr 46′, B. Dieng 46′, P. Gueye 46′, F. Diedhiou 72′, F. Ballo-Toure 84′
Senegal was probably the better side in the first half, however England struck when it hurt the most. The conceded goals really hurt Senegal’s moral and they had no answers to Southgate’s men. England finished the game with an xG of 1.01, while Senegal had 0.80.
Henderson scored from a Bellingham pass in the 38th minute. For the second goal, it was the same Bellingham who started the counter attack, which led to Kane scoring his first goal of the tournament. Saka added a third in the 57th minute, after a Foden assist.
England are through to the Quarter Finals, they will face the reigning champions, France. Senegal are out of the World Cup.