Out-of-sorts Poland succumbed to a dreadful 3-1 defeat to France in a mouth-watering 2022 World Cup last-16 tie at the Al Thumama Stadium. Despite fending off Les Bleus’ early attempts to break the deadlock, the Eagles ran out of steam as the match progressed.
Poland picked up just one victory during the group stages, but it was enough to qualify them for the World Cup knockouts for the first time since 1986. Czeslaw Michniewicz’s team failed to score in two of their three Group C games, drawing with Mexico and losing to Argentina. However, a 2-1 triumph over Saudi Arabia on day two helped them edge El Tri to a runner-up finish on a goal difference alone.
Based on their underwhelming group-stage performances, it was no surprise they headed into this encounter as outsiders. Yet after standout striker Robert Lewandowski finally got his breakthrough goal at the World Cup finals against the Green Falcons, the Poles had a reason to hope.
Just when Poland though they could enter the halftime without scoring, Milan frontman Olivier Giroud opened the scoring with a delightful finish, handing France a slender lead at the break. Things went from bad to worse for the Eagles in the second half as Kylian Mbappe stole the spotlight, notching up a quick-fire double to catapult the reigning World Cup champions into the quarter-finals.
Poland (4-1-4-1)
Wojciech Szczesny – 6
The Juventus goalkeeper had a decent game, though there’s a feeling he could’ve done better for Mbappe’s first goal. But it was overall a solid performance from one of the tournament’s shot-stoppers.
Matty Cash – 6.5
Going toe-to-toe with Mbappe is arguably one of the most daunting tasks in today’s football, but Cash was full of energy, delivering a few vital tackles to prevent the PSG star from progressing down the flank.
Kamil Glik – 5.5
Ages look to be catching up with the Benevento captain, as he was often caught of guard by Giroud.
Jakub Kiwior – 5.5
Another Serie A star that could and should have done better. A lack of anticipation and poor touches let him down on one too many occasions.
Bartosz Bereszynski – 4.5
Played on the opposite side, he never found his feet on the left flank, with Ousmane Dembele’s pace proving too much to handle for the Sampdoria underachiever.
Grzegorz Krychowiak – 5
It was a rough game for Poland, and the veteran midfielder failed to stand out. Well past his prime, he struggled to cope with the ferocious pace imposed by the French midfielders.
Jakum Kaminiski – 5.5
Like his abovementioned colleague, Kaminiski was invisible in the engine room when it comes to Poland’s attacking aspirations but made numerous crucial interceptions at the back.
Piotr Zielinski – 5
It’s fair to say that Poland expected more from the Napoli talisman, but instead of giving his team a foothold in the game, he was seemingly out of steam.
Sebastian Szymanski – 5
Separating Szymanski’s showing from his fellow midfield teammates would be an arduous task, given he restrained himself from venturing forward the whole game long.
Przemysław Frankowski – 5.5
The Lens wing-back has been one of the most exciting prospects in Ligue 1 this season, yet he largely failed to live up to the billing.
Robert Lewandowski – 6
If it wasn’t for a last-gasp penalty, it’s hard to say if Lewandowski ever threatened Hugo Lloris’ goal. Still he did fine job keeping possession as a solitary striker.