France broke the long-running trend of defending champion failing to make it out of the group stage in the FIFA World Cup after it secured wins over Australia and Denmark in Group D, to progress to the Round of 16.
Star forward Kylian Mbappe has been on fire, with three goals already, taking his overall World Cup tally to seven.
WHO ARE FRANCE’S POTENTIAL OPPONENTS IN ROUND OF 16?
Despite conceding a defeat to Tunisia in its final group game, France topped the group, ahead of Australia on goal difference.
By virtue of its top spot, it will take on the runner-up of Group C on December 4 at the Al Thumama Stadium.
Group C standings:
| Position | Teams | Matches | Won | Drawn | Lost | GF | GA | GD | Points |
| 1 | Poland | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 4 |
| 2 | Argentina | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| 3 | Saudi Arabia | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -1 | 3 |
| 4 | Mexico | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 1 |
The fate of Group C is in turmoil, with all four teams set to play after France’s game, at 12:30 AM (IST), on December 1.
As things stand, all four sides have a chance of making it to the Round of 16.
Poland currently leads the group, but takes on second-placed Argentina on the final day.
A win for Poland will assure it the top spot and leaves Argentina at the mercy of the result between Saudi Arabia and Mexico, the other game in the group.
A win for Argentina would take it above Poland and then Poland would be the one to rely on the other game.
If Argentina finishes second, which is a possible scenario, it would set up a rematch of the 2018 World Cup Round of 16 game, which ended in a thrilling 4-3 win in favour of France, the eventual champion.
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