'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Poland and Colombia are set to face each other in an all-important Group H fixture on Matchday 2 of the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Both Poland and Colombia had a disappointing start to their World Cup campaign as they lost their first match against Senegal and Japan respectively.
Colombia, in their opening game against Japan, were down to 10 men within the first five minutes as the defensive midfielder Carlos Sanchez Moreno was given the marching orders for handling the ball in the box. This resulted in Japan being awarded a penalty kick which was successfully taken by attacking midfielder Shinji Kagawa to give his side the lead. Colombia were able to equalize in the first half but a 73rd-minute header by Yuya Osako ensured Japan the 3 points.
Poland faced Senegal in their opening match and after a lacklustre performance, they went down 2-1 against a more determined African side. Senegal took the lead through an own goal by Thiago Cionek in the 37th minute, the second half saw an improved Polish side but in the 60th minute M'Baye Niang caught the defence napping and doubled Senegal's lead. Poland found the net through Grzegorz Krychowiak's goal with 4 minutes of regulation time left but it was too late to steer a comeback.
Both sides now desperately require a win and we take a look at 5 key players that can deliver for their team in this compelling fixture:
#5 Juan Cuadrado (Colombia)
The 30-year-old Juventus midfielder made his international debut against Venezuela on 3rd September 2010 and scored the opening goal in a 2-0 victory. He was selected in the 23-man squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup and ended his campaign with four assists, tying Toni Kroos as the tournament's assist leader.
In his 69 appearances for the national team, Cuadrado has found the net 7 times and is a vital part of the midfield. He has a direct and offensive playing style that enables him not only to score goals himself but also create goalscoring opportunities for his teammates. Cuadrado is a versatile player who can play in the forward position as an attacking midfielder or a second striker and in the defence as a right back or wing back.
Playing for Juventus, Cuadrado has won 3 Serie A titles and 3 Coppa Italia titles and has appeared regularly for the Italian giants.
After a disappointing outcome of the first game, Cuadrado will look to inspire his side to a win and bring Colombia's World Cup campaign back on track.
#4 Jakub Błaszczykowski (Poland)
The 32-year-old midfielder is the 2nd most capped player for Poland with 100 appearances, just 2 short of a record 102 caps, which he will be looking to surpass at this summer's World Cup. He made his debut for the national side way back in 2006 and has been a vital part of the Polish team ever since.
Currently playing for German side VFL Wolfsburg, he was a part of Borussia Dortmund from 2007 to 2016 winning 2 Bundesliga titles, 1 DFB Pokal, 2 DFL Supercups and reached the 2012-13 Champions League final. Playing for Poland, he has found the net 20 times and is the backbone of Polish midfield.
The midfielder is known for strong tackling and is effective in holding the ball in the midfield area. He plays a vital role in initiating attacks through his passes and is also reliable at the back to defend set pieces.
Blaszczykowski after the discouraging result against Senegal will be looking forward to this game and will ensure that his side is able to get the much-needed win to keep their World Cup hopes alive.
#3 Radamel Falcao (Colombia)
The Colombian skipper and all-time top goalscorer, with 29 goals, is featuring in his first World Cup as he was ruled out of the mega event four years ago in Brazil due to injury. The Monaco striker has been playing for the national side since 2007 and has made 71 appearances.
Falcao is described as a pure goal poacher who can convert half chances into goals. He can score from both feet which makes him a very flexible goalscorer. Having great balance and pace, the 32-year-old striker is clinical in battling-for-the-ball moments. His shots are well controlled and accurate, despite having an average height he is an aerial threat and has scored numerous headers throughout his career.
In 2017-18 season Falcao scored 18 goals in Ligue 1 for Monaco and was the club's top goalscorer in all competitions with 24 goals in 36 appearances.
After having a successful domestic season Falcao is expected to continue his good run of form at the World Cup in Russia and his presence will be vital for Colombia in this all important fixture against Poland.
#2 James Rodriguez (Colombia)
The Real Madrid winger who is currently in FC Bayern Munich on loan is a pivotal part of the Colombian squad. He made his debut in 2011 and since then has scored 21 goals in 62 international appearances. He was the top goalscorer with six goals at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil where he led his team to the quarterfinals.
Rodriguez was once considered among the best young talents in the world and is currently a versatile player who can play in any position ranging from the midfield to the front line. The 26-year-old has abilities to create chances for his teammates and his role as an advanced playmaker is further honed by his pace, vision and technical skills.
In the 2017-18 Bundesliga season, he made 23 appearances for Bayern Munich and was a key member of the squad that won the title by scoring 7 goals and providing 11 assists.
In Colombia's opening game against Japan, James came on as a substitute in the second half and also got booked. In this critical fixture against Poland, James is expected to step up and deliver for his side.
#1 Robert Lewandowski (Poland)
The 29-year-old Polish striker has been in great form as he has ended up as Bayern Munich's top goalscorer in the past four seasons. Playing for the Polish national team, he has made 96 appearances and is currently the all-time top goalscorer with 55 goals. After scoring 16 goals in the qualification campaign which is a record for European World Cup qualifier, he is expected to continue the same form in Russia.
A typical fox in the box, Lewandowski has the ability to find himself at the right place at the right time to either score or create goalscoring opportunities for his teammates. Regarded by many as one of the best strikers in the modern game, the Bayern Munich star has all essential qualities of a traditional number nine - height, strength, balance and pace.
Lewandowski had a very successful 2017-18 season with FC Bayern Munich as he found the net 41 times in 48 appearances and was an integral part of the team that won its sixth consecutive Bundesliga title.
In Poland's opener against Senegal, Lewandowski was not at his usual best as his side succumbed to a 2-1 defeat. In the next game against Colombia, the skipper is expected to showcase his theatrics and keep Poland's hopes alive at this World Cup.
