46
21:52
Kick-off 2nd half
45
21:37
Mid-term conclusion:
After an intense and tight first round, Poland and Sweden are still tied 0-0 in the playoff final! For long stretches, both teams shaped what was happening on the pitch with the necessary commitment, a lot of energy and good opportunities. Emil Forsberg missed the best chance of the match when the RB Leipzig midfielder was saved from close range and free-standing by Wojciech Szczęsny. The hosts also had a promising opportunity to take the lead through Matty Cash. After the break, teams are likely to up the ante with Zlatan Ibrahimović possibly also becoming a factor.
45
21:33
Two minutes are replayed due to the short interruption. However, both teams no longer take the big risk before the break, so it is likely to go into the dressing room goalless.
45
21:32
Official injury time (minutes): 2
45
21:32
It goes on and immediately the Poles are in forward gear! In the end, however, Piotr Zieliński frittered away the ball in the penalty area, allowing the Swedes to defuse the situation.
43
21:30
Minor glitch in Chorzów: Some lights went out in the stadium, which is why referee Daniele Orsato temporarily interrupted the game. Zlatan Ibrahimović uses the time to say a few words to Alexander Isak.
41
21:28
Janne Andersson’s team is just letting the ball circulate comfortably through their own ranks. There will definitely be a winner tonight, be it in regulation time, overtime or a penalty shoot-out.
38
21:24
Yellow card for Jacek Góralski (Poland)
Jacek Góralski clears Jesper Karlström in the center circle in a rather rustic way and rightly concedes the first warning of this encounter.
36
21:23
After a few high-energy minutes, both teams are taking a short break. Inaccuracies and bad passes creep in and have a negative effect on the quality of the game.
33
21:19
Former Bremen player Ludwig Augustinsson lifts the ball from the left half-field to the six-yard box. Wojciech Szczęsny storms out of his box and grabs the ball in front of Alexander Isak, who was once under contract at Dortmund.
31
21:16
Czesław Michniewicz watches the performance of his team with his usual composure. The Poland coach only took over from Paulo Sousa, who had asked for his contract to be terminated in order to join Flamengo Rio de Janeiro, just before the decisive phase of World Cup qualifying.
29
21:16
After a standard situation, Jan Bednarek falls on the ball. The 25-year-old takes the ball with a volley from 20 meters, but the attempt lands directly in the arms of Robin Olsen, who grabs it safely.
26
21:13
Again Sebastian Szymański prevails in the sixteen and plays the ball from the left inwards. At the penalty spot, Robert Lewandowski slipped the ball, behind Matty Cash was surprised and pushed the ball wide of the goal.
24
21:11
Robert Lewandowski relieved the pressure and played a wide ball to the lurking Sebastian Szymański. Guest goalkeeper Robin Olsen is attentive, rushes out of his box and intercepts the ball.
21
21:08
Wojciech Szczęsny is also in trouble after the following corner! However, both Robin Quaison and Dejan Kulusevski are unable to capitalize on their chances as Matty Cash blocks at the last second. The defense of the hosts wobbles properly in this phase.
19
21:07
On the other hand, Emil Forsberg forgives the big chance! After Krystian Bielik lost the ball, Alexander Isak sent the Swede from RB Leipzig into the sixteen on the left. Forsberg aims for the right corner from eight yards out, but Wojciech Szczęsny dives at lightning speed and saves his team from falling behind.
18
21:05
Sebastian Szymański takes a corner kick from the right flag to Piotr Zieliński, who then crosses from the turn. However, there is no buyer in the center, which is why Sweden can easily clarify.
17
21:03
Kamil Glik’s injury appears to be less severe than initially thought. The 34-year-old defender is still active and Czesław Michniewicz is not planning a change.
15
21:01
First, Jakub Moder dribbles the ball around the penalty area and then puts it down to Sebastian Szymański. Robert Lewandowski does not find the following cross at the second post, but ends up in the goal.
13
20:59
Now the Swedes are also registering for the match! Alexander Isak tries to finish from a distance, but cannot put Wojciech Szczęsny under pressure in the bottom left corner.
11
20:58
The first chance to score goes to Poland! After a cross from Matty Cash on the right, Robert Lewandowski beat Emil Krafth in a headed duel in the six-yard box, but pushed the ball wide of the box.
9
20:55
It should be noted on both sides that no one wants to make the first and possibly trend-setting mistake here. Accordingly, the game has largely been played in midfield so far.
7
20:53
Of course, the home game factor is a significant advantage for the Polish team, who are cheered on by around 54,000 spectators in moderate external conditions. It is currently raining quite heavily in the south of the country.
4
20:51
Oh my! After a few minutes, defender Kamil Glik indicated to coach Czesław Michniewicz that he had to be substituted. That would be a major setback for the hosts, who also have to do without Arkadiusz Milik due to injury.
2
20:49
Matty Cash throws a first long throw in from the right side of the box. At the penalty spot, Jakub Moder tries to get a shot, but is prevented from doing so by the Swedish defense team.
1
20:46
Let’s go in Chorzów! The Italian Daniele Orsato, who has been a FIFA referee since 2010 and can therefore draw on many years of experience, is responsible for ensuring compliance with the rules.
20:24
When asked about a possible retirement from the national team, Zlatan Ibrahimović, who was part of the Swedish squad at the 2002 World Cup, was as confident as ever. “The future has yet to be written, I’m not planning anything like that,” explained the 40-year-old attacker, continuing: “I’ll play until someone comes along who is better than me. That’s why I’m still playing.” Ibrahimović was suspended against the Czech Republic but the superstar is back on the bench today. “Zlatan is a weapon for us but he can’t play the whole game,” said coach Janne Andersson.
20:13
The hosts finished second in their qualifying group behind England but ahead of Albania and Hungary, making it perfect for the playoffs. In the semifinals, the Poles progressed without a fight and are now facing the final step, as Russia would have been the opponent and was excluded for known reasons. “We have everything to make our dreams come true. We have good players, a great atmosphere in the team and it will be the same in the stands. I hope we can play well,” said coach Czeslaw Michniewicz.
20:01
While the Poles were able to test last Thursday, the Swedes faced the Czech Republic in the playoff semifinals. There, Janne Andersson’s team finally prevailed 1-0 after extra time in a game that was mixed up overall. The golden goal of the evening, which propelled the Scandinavians into the final, was marked by former Mainz player Robin Quaison. Before that, the guests ended up in second place in qualifying and only had to admit defeat to the Spaniards in the last comparison.
19:53
The clash between Poland and Sweden also means that one of the superstars Robert Lewandowski or Zlatan Ibrahimović will miss the upcoming World Cup. On Thursday, the FC Bayern Munich striker was on the bench for the entire season in the mixed test against Scotland (1-1) due to knee problems. Now coach Czeslaw Michniewicz can count on Lewandowski again in time for the do-or-die game, who would already be 34 at the time of the World Cup in Qatar.
19:45
Have a wonderful good evening and welcome to the decisive playoff final of the World Cup qualification! Only the winner of the match between Poland and Sweden will receive one of the coveted tickets for the tournament in Qatar. Kick-off at Stadion-Śląski in Chorzów is at 20:45.