iwaeda: Two teams who ended their World Cup 2022 group-stage campaigns with defeat prepare for battle in Sunday's last-16 clash at the Al-Thumama Stadium as reigning champions France take on Poland.
Les Bleus finished first in Group D to make it through to the knockout rounds, while Czeslaw Michniewicz's men set up a tie with the holders after placing second in Group C.
Match preview
Having become the first manager to lead his side through to the knockout rounds of the 2022 World Cup, France coach Didier Deschamps was not afraid to ring the changes for Les Bleus' final Group D showdown with Tunisia, but a second-string side could not remain perfect in Qatar.
With the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele and Antoine Griezmann all kept in reserve, Tunisia took advantage and drew first blood through Wahbi Khazri in the 58th minute, although Griezmann thought that he had levelled the scores right at the death.
However, VAR intervened after the final whistle to rule the Atletico Madrid man's goal out for offside, which has reportedly led France to file a complaint with FIFA, but Les Bleus nevertheless held on to their first-placed standing, keeping Australia at bay on goal difference.
Senegal made it out of the 2022 World Cup group stage with two successive wins and now hope to go deep into the tournament.
Aliou Cisse's men lost to the Netherlands in their campaign opener in Group A but came back strongly to beat hosts Qatar 3-1 and Ecuador 2-1.
Senegal now face England in the round of 16 with the latter making it out of Group B as leaders.
The sturdy centre back is the skipper of Senegal and is a true leader of his pride of lions.
He is the mainstay in Senegal's defence and a lot will rest on his shoulders when Aliou Cisse's men take on England. His battle with Harry Kane will be one to savour and it will be interesting to watch if he can keep the explosive Tottenham forward in check.
Koulibaly also got a crucial goal against Ecuador, which was his first-ever for his country and could not have come at a better time.