Poland Edge Past Lithuania in World Cup Qualifier
Robert Lewandowski scored a late goal to give Poland a 1-0 win over Lithuania in their World Cup qualifying match. The victory marked a hard-fought start to Poland's qualifying campaign.
Robert Lewandowski's late goal secured a 1-0 win for Poland over Lithuania, marking a triumphant start to their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign. This hard-fought victory also brought an end to Poland's five-match winless streak.
Lithuania, ranked 142nd globally, seemed like the perfect opponent for Poland to rebound from a dismal 2024. The hosts aimed to put behind their disappointing group-stage exit at the Euros and relegation from League A of the UEFA Nations League. A home win appeared likely, given the visitors' lowly ranking.
Early on, Lewandowski tested Lithuania's goalkeeper Edvinas Gertmonas with a snapshot, which was comfortably saved. Gertmonas was called upon again to deny Przemysław Frankowski's close-range effort, highlighting Lithuania's resilience. Poland dominated the game, crafting opportunities through Jakub Piotrowski and Frankowski, but Lithuania's defense held firm.
In contrast to Lithuania's busy goalkeeper, Poland's Łukasz Skorupski had a relatively quiet game. However, he did make a routine save to thwart Gvidas Gineitis's strike, ensuring Poland's slim advantage remained intact until Lewandowski's decisive late goal.
The pattern of Poland's struggles in front of goal persisted after the interval. Jakub Piotrowski's attempt at a loose ball inside the box, following Sebastian Szymański's corner, sailed harmlessly over the bar, encapsulating the hosts' frustrations.
As the match wore on, Edgaras Jankauskas' Lithuania side worked tirelessly to maintain parity, driven by their desire to secure a point from the trip to Warsaw. Meanwhile, goalkeeper Edvinas Gertmonas continued to impress, making a notable save to parry Matty Cash's deflected effort.
Poland manager Michał Probierz opted to refresh his lineup, introducing Jakub Kamiński and Krzysztof Piątek. The latter nearly made an instant impact, unleashing a long-range strike that narrowly cleared the bar. Lithuania, however, remained a threat, and Giedrius Matulevičius almost caught Poland off guard, only to see his attempt saved by Łukasz Skorupski.
Just as a dull draw seemed inevitable, Robert Lewandowski emerged as the hero. The prolific striker was set up by Jakub Kamiński and benefited from a stroke of luck as his shot took a significant deflection off Artemijus Tutyškinas, ultimately finding its way past Edvinas Gertmonas and securing a hard-fought victory for Poland.
The winning goal, though somewhat fortuitous, was ultimately a deserved outcome for Poland based on their overall dominance. While the visitors' efforts were rewarded with nothing, Poland's perseverance paid off, securing three vital points in their World Cup qualifying campaign.
This victory, however, will not be remembered fondly by Poland's fans and coaching staff. The team's performance lacked finesse, and their struggle to capitalize on scoring opportunities will be a concern for manager Michał Probierz. Despite the win, there is ample room for improvement for the Biało-Czerwoni.
This defeat extends Lithuania's dismal run in World Cup qualification, with only two wins in their last 19 qualifying matches. Edgaras Jankauskas' side will need to regroup and reassess their strategy if they hope to turn their fortunes around and make a meaningful impact in the qualifying campaign.
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