AL RAYYAN, Qatar. – Poland’s World Cup last-16 exit on Sunday ended a run fueled by hopes and dreams but their fighting spirit was a fitting tribute on Miners’ Day in Poland to celebrate its patron saint of ‘hard work and good death’.
Poland showed plenty of heart to finish above Mexico and reach the second round from a tricky Group C and managed to keep the mighty reigning champion France at bay for large periods before Olivier Giroud and Kylian Mbappe stole the show.
An entire generation of Poland fans had never watched their country play in the knockout stages of the World Cup but a first appearance in 36 years has sown the seeds of progress for a team considered perennial underdogs at international tournaments.
“Getting out of the group stage after 36 years was our main objective. We succeeded, but in the next round we faced the world champions,” Poland coach Czeslaw Michniewicz said.
