Poland vs Colombia
Venue: Kazan Arena
Kick off: 7pm
Group favourites Poland and Colombia meet in a must-win game to keep alive a strong chance of reaching the World Cup last 16 in Russia.
Colombia suffered a 2-1 defeat to Japan with Yuya Osako scoring a 73rd minute winner in their opening match.
Former Chelsea and Manchester United striker Radamel Falcao admits Colombia are already reaching an all-or-nothing situation in just their second game of the tournament.
“We are in a situation in which we are forced to win. And we must do everything possible to win,” Falcao said at Colombia’s training base in Sviyazhsk just outside Kazan.
“We are now facing two teams who need to win, so for us these games will be like finals. It’s them or us. We’ve already put the Japan match behind us.
“The simple fact we’re still in contention at the World Cup gives us the emotional drive we need for these two games we have remaining.”
Poland lost to 2-1 to Senegal in their opener, with Grzegorz Krychowiak scoring a late header from a free-kick.
Colombia forward Radamel Falcao says both teams must win when they face Poland on Sunday night
“We know very well what is this game about, but we are optimists,” said Poland defender Bartosz Bereszynski. “One thing I am sure about is that we will not lack heart on Sunday.”
Over the past four World Cups, only four of 46 teams to lose their first game have qualified for the last 16 – but victory for either of these two in Kazan on Sunday will certainly reignite their tournaments.
It is the first competitive meeting between Colombia and Poland, but against European opposition the South Americans have endured a difficult recent history, losing five and drawing two of their last nine at World Cups.