France and Poland faced off in the first last-16 game of the day on
Sunday afternoon, with the winner set to meet England or Senegal in
the quarter-finals next Saturday.
France headed into the game as the heavy favourites to advance. And
when all was said and done, they came away with a fairly comfortable
win.
France dominated from the get-go, as was to be expected. They tested
Szczesny a few times in the first 15 minutes but never carved out a
big chance.
Robert Lewandowski then had Poland’s first half-chance of the
match, smashing an effort wide from outside the box after
dispossessing Tchouameni.
Olivier Giroud then came close to opening the scoring after Dembele
burst down the right and put the ball across the box, but it was too fast
for Giroud to get across properly.
France eventually broke the deadlock after 43 minutes. Kylian
Mbappe played a through ball to Giroud who finished well.
Poland had a good chance late in the first half but Raphael Varane
cleared it off the line to ensure Les Bleus went in at the break 1-0 up.
Giroud then scored an overhead kick but the whistle had already gone
after Varane fouled Matty Cash.
And after struggling to create very little in the second half, Poland
opted to bring on another striker to support Lewandowski.
Yet again, though, it was France who struck the next blow, this time
through Mbappe. Giroud brought down a clearance with a superb
touch. He then played the ball off to Dembele, continued his run
forward and dragged a defender inside, allowing Dembele to cross to
Mbappe.
Mbappe then curled in his second of the day in the 90th minute to
round out the win.
Poland were awarded a penalty late in injury time for a handball.
Hugo Lloris saved but he was off his line so it had to be retaken, with
Lewandowski scoring the second effort.