World Cup group H: Poland vs. Senegal team news, kick-off time and TV channel
All eyes will be on star strikers Sadio Mane and Robert Lewandowski
Poland vs. Senegal
- When: Tuesday 19 June
- Kick-off time: 4pm (UK)
- Where: Spartak Stadium, Moscow
- TV channel: ITV – live
Poland captain Robert Lewandowski was the leading goalscorer in World Cup qualifying and goes to Russia knowing that a nation’s expectations rest on his shoulders.
The Bayern Munich striker, who scored 16 goals on the road to Russia, will lead Poland in their first group H match against Senegal but says he isn’t worried by the pressure to succeed.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
He told Fifa.com: “The [fans’] expectations are high, but they expect it not only from me but from the whole team. We know that Poland is a nation that always believes, always keeps fingers crossed for the players, but at the same time expects a lot. We are prepared for that.
“Pressure? There has always been pressure and will be forever, but we know how to deal with that, we put pressure aside.”
Poland’s opponents at the Spartak Stadium, Senegal, have their own star striker who’s looking to get amongst the goals in Russia. Liverpool’s Sadio Mane will provide pace from the wide areas. He will be supported in attack by the likes of Keita Balde and M’Baye Niang.
Midfielder Pape Alioune Ndiaye believes the “Lions of Teranga” are improving by the day and “will get stronger”. Ndiaye said: “The game against Poland? It will be a World Cup match with intensity and commitment, on paper it is a high quality billing and we are here to play in this kind of match.”
Key battle
Poland striker Lewandowski will go up against a defender known as “K2”, ESPN reports. The Poles will rely on Lewandowski for goals, but Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly will be out to stop him. It’s “an intriguing personal duel”, says ESPN.
Poland vs. Senegal predicted starting XIs
How the two teams could line up at the Spartak Stadium in Moscow, according to Fifa.com:
- Poland (4-5-1): Wojciech Szczesny; Maciej Rebus, Michal Pazdan, Jan Bednarek, Lukasz Piszczek; Kamil Grosicki, Jacek Goralski, Grzegorz Krychowiak, Jakub Blaszczykowski, Piotr Zielinski; Robert Lewandowski
- Senegal (4-3-3): Khadim Ndiaye; Lamine Gassama, Kara Mbodji, Kalidou Koulibaly, Youssouf Sabaly; Pape Alioune Ndiaye, Cheikhou Kouyate, Gana Idrissa Gueye; Keita Balde, M’Baye Niang, Sadio Mane
Group H fixtures and live TV channels
- 19 June: Colombia vs. Japan (1pm, BBC); Poland vs. Senegal (4pm, ITV)
- 24 June: Japan vs. Senegal (4pm, BBC); Poland vs. Colombia (7pm, ITV)
- 28 June: Senegal vs. Colombia (3pm, BBC); Japan vs. Poland (3pm, BBC)
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Women are getting their own baseball league again
In the Spotlight The league is on track to debut in 2026
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Giant TVs are becoming the next big retail commodity
Under the Radar Some manufacturers are introducing TVs over 8 feet long
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
When will mortgage rates finally start coming down?
The Explainer Much to potential homebuyers' chagrin, mortgage rates are still elevated
By Becca Stanek, The Week US Published
-
Mason Greenwood: footballer arrested on suspicion of rape and assault
Speed Read Man Utd confirm the striker will not train or play until further notice
By The Week Staff Published
-
Handball: swapping bikini bottoms for tight pants
Speed Read Women competitors will be required to ‘wear short tight pants with a close fit’
By The Week Staff Published
-
Cristiano Ronaldo’s second coming
Speed Read Last week, Manchester United re-signed the forward on a two-year deal thought to be worth more than £400,000 a week
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
Bank holidays and boycotts: are MPs trying to jinx England?
Speed Read Declaring a bank holiday would be ‘tempting fate’, says Boris Johnson
By The Week Staff Published
-
Weightlifting: Olympic Games set for transgender first
Speed Read New Zealand weightlifter Laurel Hubbard will make history at Tokyo 2020
By The Week Staff Published
-
UK plans to expel spies from hostile states amid Russia-Czech explosion row
Why Everyone’s Talking About Proposed foreign agent registration scheme will crack down on Russian and Chinese activities
By Sorcha Bradley Last updated
-
Sport shorts: Champions League expansion plan to be agreed
Speed Read News and reactions from the world of sport, featuring Joachim Low and the Lions women’s team
By Mike Starling Published
-
Sport shorts: Sturgeon slams Rangers fans over title celebrations
Speed Read News and reactions from the world of sport, featuring Keely Hodgkinson and Bryson DeChambeau
By Mike Starling Published