France 3 Poland 1 LIVE RESULT: Stunning Mbappe brace sets up potential World Cup quarter-final with England – updates
KYLIAN MBAPPE has fired France into the World Cup quarter-finals, scoring twice in a 3-1 win over Poland.
Olivier Giroud opened the scoring with a fine effort before half-time and it's got even better for Les Bleus since.
Then Mbappe picked the ball up on the edge of the area and took his time before slamming the ball into the top corner to put France in command.
And the PSG star did the same minutes later, putting the ball in the opposite corner before Poland scored a late penalty.
- Start time: 3pm GMT
- Live stream/TV: BBC One/iPlayer
- France XI: Lloris; Kounde, Varane, Upamecano, Theo Hernandez; Tchouameni, Rabiot; Dembele, Griezmann, Mbappe; Giroud
- Poland XI: Szczesny, Bereszynski, Glik, Kiwior, Cash, Krychowiak, Zielinski, Szymanski, Frankowski, Kaminski, Lewandowski
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France starting XI:
Didier Deschamps makes wholesale changes from the side that lost to Tunisia in their last group game.
1. Lloris, 5. Kounde, 4. Varane, 19. Upamecano, 22. Hernandez, 8. Touchouameni, 14. Rabiot, 11. Dembele, 7. Griezmann, 10. Mbappe, 9. Giroud.
Credit: @FrenchTeam To inspire a generation
The World Cup has an unusual effect on football fans all over the world, with most being able to name the tournament that made them fall in love with the game.
The burden that rests on the players is performing to the highest-level to spur a new generation of youngsters all wanting to be the next Olivier Giroud or Kylian Mbappe.
France can begin this journey today with victory over Poland.
Credit: Getty Phoenix rises from the ashes
Olivier Giroud, nicknamed the Phoenix by his international team mates, is looking to become France's all-time leading goalscorer today.
Currently, the ex-Arsenal striker is tied with Thierry Henry on 51 goals for Les Bleus.
His next goal will take him beyond Henry, until Kylian Mbappe reaches the figure no doubt.
French looking for more silverware
The France contingent are hoping to see their side step things up a gear now they are in the knockout stages.
Having beaten Australia and Denmark in comfortable fashion, Les Bleus were able to rotate their squad in their final group game.
However, a 1-0 defeat to Tunisia showed that they may need their strongest starting line-up to stand any chance of retaining the World Cup.
Credit: Reuters Poland needing to show some passion
Having made it through to the last 16, Poland will be looking to show what they are made of against the reigning world champions today.
Robert Lewandowski has looked remote to say the least leading the line for his country in this tournament.
They will need to have a more attacking mindset if they plan on progressing in the knockout stages.
Poles to dig in on Miner’s Day
The Poland manager has spoken about what today will mean for his side:
You win or you go home, the stakes are high. We were dreaming of getting out of the group stage, we did everything possible to achieve that. December 4 is a holiday for miners in Poland, so we will do our best to celebrate that holiday. We aren't afraid of France, we respect the opponents, we respect their class. But we don't care about others' opinions of our team.
Czesław MichniewiczLes Bleus looking to set records
Only Italy and Brazil have won back-to-back World Cups in the history of the competition.
Italy won the trophy in 1934 & 1938 while Brazil won the trophy in 1958 and then 1962.
Didier Deschamps side will be looking to add France’s name to that illustrious list.
Welcome to France vs Poland
Two teams who ended their World Cup 2022 group-stage campaigns with defeat prepare for battle in the first of today’s last 16 clashes at the Al Thumama Stadium as reigning champions take on Poland.
After goalkeeper Alphonse Areola recovered from back trouble to make the bench against Tunisia, France boss Didier Deschamps has the luxury of a fully-fit squad for today’s game.
The ankle injury that Theo Hernandez sustained in training on Friday is not expected to rule him out.
A plethora of changes are expected from the last outing with Mbappe, Griezmann, Dembele and Giroud all expected to come back in.
Neither Jordan Veretout nor Youssouf Fofana covered themselves in glory last time out, so Aurelian Tchouameni and Adrien Rabiot will return to the base of midfield.
As for Poland, Michmiewicz also has all of his troops available for Sunday’s crunch match, although no fewer than six players would miss any potential quarter-final match if cautioned here.
Suspension concerns should not factor into the thinking of the Poland manager, who took off Przemyslaw Frankowski and Karol Swiderski at half time against Argentina, but the former should not be in any danger of losing his place.
However, Arkadiusz Milik and Krzysztof Piatek are both waiting in the wings to take the place of Swiderski alongside Robert Lewandowski in the final third.
