sport news Poland's Wojciech Szczesny claims he can be the difference in his nation's ... trends now

sport news Poland's Wojciech Szczesny claims he can be the difference in his nation's ... trends now
sport news Poland's Wojciech Szczesny claims he can be the difference in his nation's ... trends now

sport news Poland's Wojciech Szczesny claims he can be the difference in his nation's ... trends now

'The key to stopping Mbappe? Me!': Poland's Wojciech Szczesny sends defiant battle cry ahead of World Cup clash with France... as Les Bleus captain Hugo Lloris heaps praise on the 'great goalkeeper'

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It's a huge day for goalkeepers with big reputations when defending champion France faces Poland in the round of 16 at the World Cup on Sunday.

Hugo Lloris will tie a national team record for Les Bleus four years after lifting the trophy as captain. Opposite number Wojciech Szczesny is a penalty-saving, wise-cracking No. 1 who seems to be enjoying the tournament more than any other player.

Both get a stage to shine at Al Thumama Stadium trying to deny two of the most feared forwards in Qatar - Kylian Mbappé and two-time FIFA player of the year Robert Lewandowski.

Poland's Wojciech Szczesny has issued a defiant battle cry ahead of their clash with France

Poland's Wojciech Szczesny has issued a defiant battle cry ahead of their clash with France

Szczesny insists that he can put a stop to Kylian Mbappe's (pictured) goalscoring in Qatar

Szczesny insists that he can put a stop to Kylian Mbappe's (pictured) goalscoring in Qatar

'The key to stopping Mbappé? It's me,' Szczesny quipped when Poland's place in the knockout bracket was confirmed.

Lloris will face Lewandowski in an international game for the first time when he matches the record of Lilian Thuram, the right back in France's 1998 world champion team.

'It's quite something and I'm very honored,' Lloris said Saturday. He was in the same France squad as Thuram as an uncapped 21-year-old in 2008 though was never played with him.

France coach Didier Deschamps, who played often with Thuram and was captain in the 1998 final in Paris, paid tribute to them.

'They have shown exemplary professionalism for the national team,' Deschamps said Saturday.

Szczesny put in some terrific performances for his national side during the group stage

Szczesny put in some terrific performances for his national side during the group stage

France captain Hugo Lloris has heaped praise on his Polish counterpart ahead of their clash

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