World Cup

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World Cup | Last 16

Dec 4, 2022 at 3pm UK

Al Thumama Stadium

France
3 - 1
Poland

Giroud (44'), Mbappe (74', 90+1')
Tchouameni (32')

FT(HT: 1-0)

Lewandowski (90+9' pen.)
Bereszynski (47'), Cash (88')

Team News: Poland make two changes for last-16 clash with France

By Oliver Thomas, Senior Reporter | 04 December 2022

Poland manager Czeslaw Michniewicz makes two changes to his starting lineup for their World Cup 2022 last-16 clash against holders France.

Poland manager Czeslaw Michniewicz has made two changes to his starting lineup for their World Cup 2022 last-16 clash against holders France.

The Poles managed to scrape their way through to the knockout rounds on goal difference despite suffering a 2-0 defeat to Argentina in Group C last time out.

Michniewicz has decided to bring 20-year-old Jakub Kaminski into his starting lineup at the expense of Karol Swiderski, while Krystian Bielik has been replaced by Sebastian Szymanski.

Kaminski is set to operate in an advanced midfield role alongside Napoli's Piotr Zielinski, with Poland captain and all-time leading scorer Robert Lewandowski leading the line in attack.

Szymanski will partner Grzegorz Krychowiak in centre-midfield, while Bartosz Bereszynski, Kamil Glik and Jakub Kiwior will continue in the back three, protecting goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny.

As for France, Theo Hernandez is fit to start at left-back, with Didier Deschamps making nine changes to the side that lost 1-0 against Tunisia in their final group game.

Goalkeeper Hugo Lloris returns between the sticks to earn his 142nd international cap, which sees him draw level with Lilian Thuram as Les Bleus' all-time men's appearance maker, while star man Kylian Mbappe is joined in attack by Ousmane Dembele, Antoine Griezmann and Olivier Giroud.

France starting lineup: Lloris; Kounde, Upamecano, Varane, Hernandez; Tchouameni, Rabiot; Dembele, Griezmann, Mbappe; Giroud

Subs: Mandanda, Areola, Pavard, Saliba, Konate, Disasi, Guendouzi, Camavinga, Fofana, Veretout, Coman, Thuram, Kolo Muani

Poland starting lineup: Szczesny; Bereszynski, Kiwior, Glik; Cash, Krychowiak, Szymanski, Frankowski; Zielinski, Kaminski; Lewandowski

Subs: Jedrzejczyk, Wieteska, Bednarek, Bielik, Grosicki, Skorupski, Swiderski, Zurkowski, Milik, Szymanski, Zalewski, Grabara, Piatek, Gumny, Skoras