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WORLD CUP 2018 | ||
POLAND |
vs | SENEGAL | |
| FIFA RANKING 8 | FIFA RANKING 27 | ||
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| TEAM PROFILES |
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| POLAND It's the first World Cup since 2006 for Poland, whose fans are likely to travel to Russia in large numbers. It could be the last chance to play on the biggest stage for strikers Robert Lewandowski and Jakub Blaszczykowski, who will be 29 and 32 respectively by the finals. Poland are largely unchanged from the team that reached Euro 2016 quarter-finals where they lost on penalties to eventual champions Portugal. One concern in qualifying was a 4-0 thrashing by Denmark in September that raised concerns about the defence. SENEGALSenegal are back at the World Cup for the first time since their stunning debut in 2002, when they beat defending champions France on the way to the quarter-finals, then only the second African team to make the last eight. This qualification has been contentious, with Senegal benefiting from an unprecedented decision by Fifa to order a replay of their 2-1 loss in South Africa because of match-fixing by the referee. Senegal took advantage to win the replay, changing the dynamic of the group. |
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STAR PLAYER |
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| POLAND | SENEGAL | ||
| Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich) Already Poland's record goalscorer, he scored a European-high 16 goals in qualifying. |
Sadio Mane (Liverpool) With his blistering pace, Mane has been every bit as effective for Senegal as he has for Liverpool. |
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