Ibrahima Konate has warned there 'won't be any favours' during France's round-of-16 tie with Poland this weekend after they were beaten 1-0 by Tunisia on Wednesday.
Didier Deschamps' side ended their first round of World Cup games top of Group D but saw their hopes of an unbeaten group stage ended at the Education City Stadium, Wahbi Khazri's goal the eventual winner after Antoine Griezmann's late equaliser was chalked off for offside. France boss Deschamps made several changes with progression already secured, notably the omission of Kylian Mbappe.
Liverpool defender Konate started his second gamer of the group stage for the current world champions, impressing once again with a record-breaking display in the heart of the defence. But the 24-year-old cut a frustrated figure after the defeat, insisting there will be no such slip-ups come Sunday, when they face Poland, who finished second behind Argentina but above Mexico after a dramatic finish to Group C.
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“I hate losing," Konate told BeIN Sports (via RMC ). "There won’t be any favours this weekend, it’ll be a match and that’s it. I can’t say there were too many changes – if we’re here today, we can’t go with that excuse. We weren’t at the level required, we were too wasteful.
"We need to concentrate on the next game, come together and forget this little error. Whether that’s against Mexico, Argentina, or whoever, it’s going to be a difficult match.”
Poland secured their place in the round-of-16 clash against France on Wednesday evening despite losing 2-0 Argentina. As the full-time whistle went, the Poles were second on the basis of having fewer yellow cards than Mexico - with points, goal difference and goals scored equal - although a late Saudi Arabia goal halved Mexico's lead and ended their hopes of qualification.
Poland will meet France at 3pm on Sunday, with the winner facing one of England or Senegal in the quarter-finals.
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