Manchester United defender Raphael Varane found himself in the thick of the action as reigning champions France routinely progressed into the World Cup quarter-finals with a 3-1 victory over Poland on Sunday afternoon - setting up a potential last-8 meeting with England who play Senegal tonight.
Varane, 29, feared his World Cup dream might be over before it had begun when he limped off for United during a 1-1 draw against Chelsea in the Premier League in October. However, after battling back to fitness, he was yet again imperious for Les Bleus to underline his worth for club and country.
Olivier Giroud and Kylian Mbappe (2) stole the headlines, with goals in each half at the Al Thumama Stadium, but in one of the game's key moments, it was Varane who was needed to thwart Poland with an off-the-line clearance. It was Varane who, also, kept tabs on opposition talisman Robert Lewandowski who remained quiet throughout despite a late penalty which the Barcelona striker netted after it had to be retaken for infringement.
