Poland had a very difficult time against Albania and was behind for a long time. But because the outsider didn’t take advantage of his chances, Lewandowski and Co. turned the game around.
For an hour there was much to suggest a victory for the Albanians, who could have qualified for a World Cup for the first time: Arber Hoxha (42nd) had put them in the lead shortly before half-time. But then, as so often, it was Poland’s superstar Robert Lewandowski who brought his team back into the game with a header (63′), before Piotr Zielinski sealed their place in the playoff final with an artificial shot (73′).
First things first: Poland came into the game with a lot of momentum and had their first good opportunity in the 6th minute: Sebastian Szymanski was caught in the penalty area and passed it back to Lewandowski, who finished straight away. The low left-footed shot narrowly missed the box.
Outsider takes advantage of mistakes
Two minutes later, Jan Bednarek’s header would have hit the net had Elseid Hysaj not been able to clear it off the line. After this ten-minute period of pressure from the hosts, the game became increasingly calmer and more balanced. Both teams defended compactly and scenes in the penalty area were scarce.
Myrto Uzuni (15th) and Qazim Laci (36th) scored for Albania, but both attempts remained just as harmless as Filip Rozga’s long-range shot on the other side (34th). Until suddenly it was all ablaze: Bednarek fumbled after a long ball, his acceptance jumped to Albania striker Hoxha and the 27-year-old didn’t take long to ask. First Hoxha went around the Polish keeper Kamil Grabara, then he slotted home the lead in the 42nd minute.
Lewandowski keeps World Cup hopes alive
The first chance after the break belonged to the Poles: Piotr Zielinski narrowly missed with his half-high shot (50′). Shortly afterwards, Albania had a great chance to make it 2-0: Hoxha, the goalscorer to make it 1-0, passed after a long run across to Nedim Bajrami, who waited a long time and then shot over the right corner of the cross.
The punishment followed immediately: Lewandowski’s shot was first deflected over the goal, then he beat Hysaj at the resulting corner and headed in to equalize in the 63rd minute. Goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha in particular didn’t look good, underestimated the length of the corner and flew under the ball.
Poland ice cold offensively
Albania didn’t give up and countered with a huge chance through two substitutes: After a deep pass, Armando Broja fed the free-standing Stavros Pelios, who shot from ten meters. But the low shot wasn’t placed enough and Grabara blocked it with his foot.
Great celebration from Poland: the World Cup dream is alive
The Albanians had an overall increase in chances but had to accept the next blow. Again Poland punished the poor use coldly, this time by Zielinski. The midfielder had space in the center and shot from 22 meters with his right – a dream goal! The ball hit the left corner like a ray, making it 2-1 for Poland.
After that there wasn’t much left: Albania couldn’t, Poland didn’t want to and cleverly took the minutes off the clock. For the Balkan republic, the World Cup dream is over, while Poland can play in the playoff final against Sweden on Tuesday.
