Lewandowski's Poland staring elimination in the face

World Cup Group H
ITV, 7pm Sunday

Robert Lewandowski is running out of chances to make an impact at major tournaments and he and Poland could be staring at World Cup group-stage elimination after they have faced Colombia in Kazan.

Both teams are entering the last-chance saloon after defeats in their opening matches and the losers will have no way back if Japan and Senegal share the spoils in Yekaterinburg.

The contest poses a mental challenge as much as anything because Colombia and Poland travelled to Russia with high hopes and were pre-tournament first and second favourites to finish top of Group H.

From this point either would gladly settle for second place and Colombia look the more likely to move a step closer to the last 16.

Los Cafeteros's loss to Japan was much easier to excuse than Poland's defeat to Senegal.

Colombia were weakened by James Rodriguez's absence from the starting line-up and were staring defeat in the face from the moment Carlos Sanchez conceded an early penalty and received a red card.

Jose Pekerman felt the need to make a tactical switch, removing Juan Cuadrado for the more defence-minded Wilmar Barrios, and his team showed great spirit to battle back into the game with Jose Quintero's clever free kick.

However, the Colombians ran out of energy on a warm day and had to stomach a defeat against a side they would have fully expected to beat.

It makes the group complicated for Colombia, who have their hardest two games to come, but they will be stronger against the Poles if Rodriguez is fully recovered from a calf strain.

Cuadrado should get more of an opportunity to impress and his pace could trouble the Polish defenders, who looked flat-footed for large parts of the Senegal game.

Match reports

Colombia v Japan

Poland v Senegal

Monaco central defender Kamil Glik is Poland's best defender but he sustained a shoulder injury in training before the tournament and his leadership qualities were badly missed in the first game.

There was a lack of communication at the back and hesitant play between goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny and defender Jan Bednarek was behind the second Senegalese goal, tapped home by M'Baye Niang.

Poland were all over the place at the back and offered so little going forward that head coach Adam Nawalka opted for a change of shape at the break, switching from a back four to a three.

It made little difference although Poland were up against two strong centre-backs, Kalidou Koulibaly and Salif Sane, who put on a defensive masterclass.

Arkadiusz Milik was subbed and Lewandowski looked a dejected figure a long time before the final whistle.

The pair linked up well at Euro 2016 and they need to rekindle that relationship if Poland are to get back into the tournament.

Colombia's defence does not look as solid as Senegal's but they are probably better than the Africans in attack.

The South Americans never had the opportunity to get into their stride against Japan but they have a second chance and look worthy favourites to bounce back with a win.

Recommendation
Colombia
1pt 13-10 general

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The lowdown

Poland
Team news
Kamil Glik (shoulder) is unlikely to recover in time.

Strengths
Arkadiusz Milik's partnership with Robert Lewandowski was the key to Poland's strong showing at Euro 2016 and midfielder Piotr Zielinski has an excellent passing range.

Weaknesses
Without Kamil Glik, they look vulnerable at the back. Michal Pazdan, Thiago Cionek and Jan Bednarek struggled against Senegal.

Key man
Lewandowski has had to wait until the age of 29 for an opportunity at a World Cup and he must seize it before it is too late.

Colombia
Team news
James Rodriguez (calf) should return to the starting line-up but Carlos Sanchez serves a one-game suspension.

Strengths
They are built to attack with Juan Cuadrado offering pace out wide, James Rodriguez supplying the craft and Radamel Falcao the killer instinct.

Weaknesses
The back four haven't played many games together and it showed against Japan. Tottenham centre-back Davinson Sanchez showed his inexperience and needs to improve.

Key man
With doubts persisting over Rodriguez's fitness, the onus is on Falcao to drag Colombia back into contention.

Key stat
Poland have lost seven of their last nine World Cup matches.

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