Last Updated:
Piotr Zielinski’s late goal gave Poland a 3-2 win over Malta, but they finished second in Group G behind the Netherlands and head to the World Cup playoffs.
Poland captain Robert Lewandowski (AP)
Poland’s Piotr Zielinski scored late, securing a 3-2 win against Malta on Monday. However, it was insufficient to claim the top spot in their World Cup qualifying group, leaving them to settle for a place in the playoffs for next year’s finals.
Poland’s victory at Ta’Qali’s National Stadium brought them to 17 points in Group G. Finishing in second place offers them a chance to book a ticket to North America via the playoffs in March.
The Netherlands secured direct qualification by topping the group with 20 points after thrashing visiting Lithuania 4-0. Malta finished fourth with five points.
‘Won Anyway’
“In the first half, we played too statically, not only in defence but also in attack,” said Poland captain Robert Lewandowski.
“We played the ball too slowly and couldn’t get into the game at all. We left too much space for our opponents. A lot of things were missing. It wasn’t our standard game, but we won anyway.”
Poland took the lead in the 31st minute when Lewandowski, unmarked in the box, met Zielinski’s cross and headed into the corner.
Malta equalised four minutes later when Irvin Cardona capitalised on a failed clearance from goalkeeper Bartłomiej Dragowski, tapping the ball into the net.
Poland regained the lead in the 59th minute when Kurt Shaw’s tackle on Lewandowski inadvertently redirected the ball to Pawel Wszolek, who scored his first international goal in nearly 10 years.
The visitors appeared to have doubled their advantage when Karol Swiderski finished off a quick counter, but VAR disallowed the goal due to Jakub Kiwior’s foul on Cardona in the box at the other end.
The goal was overturned, and a penalty awarded instead, with Teddy Teuma sending Dragowski the wrong way to level for Malta in the 68th minute.
Zielinski settled the contest five minutes from time, unleashing a low strike from distance that took a heavy deflection before skidding inside the far post.
“I hope that nothing will be missing in the playoffs and that luck will smile on us in the draw,” the 37-year-old Lewandowski added. “I hope that in March we will be celebrating our qualification to the World Cup.”
The tournament will be hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19 in 2026.
(With iniputs from Agencies)
Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes cricket content, havin…Read More
Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes cricket content, havin… Read More
November 18, 2025, 07:49 IST
Read More
Source link
[ad_3]
