DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Poland heads dwelling from the World Cup as the most recent crew unable to beat an impressed Kylian Mbappé, who dominated in France’s 3-1 win within the spherical of 16.It meant back-to-back losses towards the sport’s superstars, after Lionel Messi and Argentina received 2-0 within the final spherical of group-stage video games.Poland appeared over-matched on the highest degree and unable to create sufficient probabilities for its scoring nice Robert Lewandowski.EXPECTATION VS. PERFORMANCEPoland’s World Cup was successful on one metric — advancing from the group stage for the primary time since 1986.The usual now may be very completely different from 4 many years in the past, when a spherical of 16 exit would have been thought of a failure for followers who cheered on third-place finishes on the 1974 and 1982 tournaments. However there may be realism now about Poland’s place in soccer, particularly when its golf equipment battle to be aggressive in European competitions.“We have now some limitations,” Poland coach Czesław Michniewicz mentioned after his crew was eradicated Sunday.As France coach Didier Deschamps famous earlier than the sport in praising Poland: “They’re good at defending, and I feel that they really like defending.”Nonetheless, Poland superior from Group C because of a strong 2-0 win over a Saudi Arabia crew that had simply impressed the world beating Argentina 2-1 of their opener.And for a 10-minute spell late within the first half, Poland had France reeling and Piotr Zieliński in all probability ought to have scored the sport’s first purpose.WHO’S OUT?Perhaps the entire band stays collectively, a minimum of for the subsequent European Championship cycle.Poland’s energy trio for the previous decade has been the veteran core of Lewandowski, goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny and defender Kamil Glik. Nobody was ending their worldwide profession after the loss to France.Lewandowski was hesitant when requested if he wished to intention for the 2026 World Cup, which begins in North America two months earlier than his thirty eighth birthday.However taking part in within the 2024 European Championships in Germany, a second dwelling for the previous Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich star, is inside his sights.Coach Michniewicz is about to guide that marketing campaign. Employed in January on a short-term contract, he’s reportedly getting an automated extension by Euro 2024 for advancing to the spherical of 16.WHO’S NEXT?At age 28, Zieliński has stepped up a degree to shine in a superb Napoli crew that leads Serie A and appears set to go deep within the Champions League.Roma defender Nicola Zalewski has flourished in coach Jose Mourinho’s crew although was not used as a starter in Qatar.“Nico continues to be a younger 20-year-old for him to return to a significant match,” Poland full-back Matty Money mentioned. “We have now received many good gamers coming by.”And Lewandowski’s alternative might come from Main League Soccer, the place 25-year-old Karol Świderski scored 10 targets and added six assists final season with Charlotte FC.WHAT’S NEXT?Poland is the top-seeded crew in a Euro 2024 qualifying group that performs by subsequent yr and is strongly favored to advance to the 24-team match.The highest two of Poland, Czechia, Albania, Moldova and the Faeroe Islands within the five-team standings will qualify. The Poles begin March 24 with their hardest sport, away to the Czechs.Poland will count on Lewandowski there including to his nationwide file of 78 targets in 138 video games.___
Poland finds its true degree at World Cup, overwhelmed by the most effective
![Poland finds its true degree at World Cup, overwhelmed by the most effective 6 Poland finds its true level at World Cup, beaten by the best](https://i0.wp.com/fifanews.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Poland-finds-its-true-level-at-World-Cup-beaten-by-scaled.jpeg?resize=860%2C573&ssl=1)