European Football Championship 2021: Poland is subject to Slovakia – Lewandowski disappointed

Stand: 8:54 p.m.| Reading time: 3 minutes

RObert Lewandowski and his Poles made a false start at the European Championships and have to worry about progressing after the first group game. The team around the 32-year-old world footballer lost 1: 2 (0: 1) against outsiders Slovakia in St. Petersburg and is already under tremendous pressure in the second group game against ex-world champions Spain on Saturday (9 p.m.).

An own goal by the unlucky Polish goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny (18th) and a goal by Milan Skriniar brought the decision in favor of the Slovaks in front of around 20,000 spectators in Russia. The interim equalization by Karol Linetty (46th) was too little, especially since the Poles were outnumbered after the yellow-red card for Grzegorz Krychowiak (62nd).

Slovakia made it to the round of 16 in 2016

After the surprising opening coup, Slovakia around veteran Marek Hamsik can hope for a round of 16 as in 2016. The Slovaks acted consistently and decisively against Bayern striker Lewandowski, the Polish superstar has only scored two goals in twelve games in major tournaments (European Championship or World Cup).

All eyes were on him. But the world footballer quickly realized that he has by far not as strong side men in the Polish team as in Bayern – especially since his potential strike partners Arkadiusz Milik (Olympique Marseille) and Krzysztof Piatek (Hertha BSC) are missing from the European Championship due to injury. In addition, the Slovaks always had two defenders close to the super striker when things got tough.

So the Slovaks largely took the largest Polish weapon out of the game. Lewandowski’s two shots on goal at the beginning of the game posed no danger (4th and 5th). Shortly before the break, the Bayern star pulled the ball from a short distance (42nd). Overall, the Polish offensive acted without ideas and creativity, Lewandowski seemed increasingly frustrated.

And the outsider turned out to be an uncomfortable opening opponent. From a safe defense, the team of coach Stefan Tarkovic repeatedly put pinpricks. If Cologne’s Ondrej Duda shot just missed the goal after a strong solo (14th), it happened four minutes later after a strong solo by Mak.

The first European Championship own goal by a goalkeeper

The goal initiated by the former Nuremberg club was favored by a bad defensive performance by the Poles. Bartosz Bereszynski and Kamil Jozwiak were far too easy to play off. In addition, goalkeeper Szczesny opened the short goalkeeper’s corner when Mak shot. The ball bounced off the post, hit Szczesny’s arm and threw it into the goal. It was the first own goal by a goalkeeper in the history of the European Championship. And another bitter moment for Szczesny after seeing the red card in the opening game in 2012.

After a bloodless performance in the first round, the Poles came out of the cabin strengthened – and only 29 seconds after the restart to equalize. After a nice combination via Mateusz Klich and Maciej Rybus, the freestanding Linetty only had to slide in.

But the traffic light card for Krychowiak – a tough decision – caused a break. The Slovaks became braver again and came after a corner through the undisturbed Skriniar to the not undeserved winning goal. The Polish final offensive brought nothing more.