Poland 1-2 Slovakia
Group E of Euro 2020 got underway at the Saint Petersburg Stadium on Monday night as un-fancied Slovakia beat Poland, and Robert Lewandowski, 2-1.
The Slovaks went ahead thanks to a Wojciech Szczesny own goal before Poland pegged them back at the start of the second half when Karol Linetty slotted home the equaliser. But when they went down to ten men with half an hour remaining, the Poles became stretched and Milan Skriniar fired home the winner on 69 minutes.
Highlights of the game
Slovakia came into the game unbeaten in five and they went in to half time with a deserved lead as Poland seemed oddly content to sit back and let the underdogs take a foothold in the game. And they had a superb effort on 14 minutes when Ondrej Duda picked up the ball on the left wing and cut inside before unleashing a shot which skidded agonisingly wide.
Captained by the inspirational Marek Hamsik, Slovakia continued to push and they got their reward, on 18 minutes, thanks to a brilliant piece of play from wide man Robert Mak. He jinked his way into the penalty area, skipped past two Poland defenders and then beat Wojciech Szczesny at his near post…well almost. The ball cannoned back off the foot of the post, hit the Polish keeper on his arm and bounced back into the net. We’d like to give the goal to Mak but it was Szczesny’s own goal!
And, moments later, the Polish stopper had to be on this toes to tip over a shot when Juraj Kucka hit one sweetly from distance. With just ten minutes remaining until half time, Poland finally came to life when Grzegorz Krychowiak let fly with a shot which flew inches over Martin Dubravka’s bar; and then Robert Lewandowski finally had an attempt. At odds of 20.00 to win the Golden Boot, Lewandowski looks like good value, but only if Poland make it through the group stages and only if he gets decent service. But for most part he struggled today and he fired this rare attempt wide after meeting a cross from Maciej Ryba.
Poland head coach Paulo Sousa had a job to do at half time; the Poland vs Slovakia betting odds said his side should win the game at a canter but they were miles off in the opening 45. Well, whatever he said had an immediate impact as his side drew level in the first move of the second half. Rybus was again the supplier, sending in a low cross into the danger area to give Karol Linetty a tap in.
But just as Poland were beginning to grab hold of the game and push for a winner their task was made doubly hard. On a yellow card already, Krychowiak clattered into Jakub Hromada and the referee reached for his cards again, before brandishing a red. And that turned the game on its head. When Poland failed to clear a corner and the ball fell to Skriniar, the Inter Milan defender fired low and true into the bottom left corner to restore Slovakia’s lead.
Poland almost levelled when a corner was fired across the six yard box, but the ball just evaded three strikers, including Lewandowski who mistimed his jump. And in the dying seconds Karol Swiderski took a lay off from Lewandowski, swivelled and shot but Dubravka saved to keep hold of all three points.
Key statistics
At the half way stage Poland had enjoyed 60 per cent possession but hadn’t managed a single shot on target while Slovakia had one.
They tried to turn it round with a much brighter second half performance, eventually having three shots on target to Slovakia’s two, and 17 to 11 in total; but when they went down to ten men Poland struggled to keep shape and paid the price.
Slovakia, who are now unbeaten in six games, deserve the credit and the victory.
What’s next?
The SBOTOP Euro 2020 action keeps on coming with Spain and Sweden opening their Group E campaign next. And as the Euro 2020 results keep rolling in and the groups begin to take shape the tension will mount. The pressure is piling high on Poland who need to find a win from somewhere, and neither Sweden nor Spain will be an easy opponent.
Poland face Luis Enrique’s Spain on Saturday and a defeat then could spell the end of their campaign. Slovakia, on the other hand, have given themselves a great chance of qualifying for the knockout phase and they will meet Sweden on Friday, full of confidence.
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
