Poland vs. Sweden: Lewandowski and Zielinski fire Poland to Qatar.

George Priestman

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Poland vs. Sweden: Lewandowski and Zielinski fire Poland to Qatar. image

It was Poland's night as they beat Sweden by two goals to nil as they confirmed their place at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. 

But it was actually Sweden who had the better chances in the lead up to the first goal as Wojciech Szczęsny saved well from Emil Forsberg twice to deny the RB Leipzig midfielder.

Robert Lewandowski then fired Poland ahead early in the second half from the penalty spot after a clumsy tackle from Jesper Karlstrom. The Bayern Munich frontman made no mistake as he fired in his 56th goal of the season.

They doubled their lead after another defensive error from the Swedish backline; this time it was Marcus Danielson with a loose touch that allowed Zielinski to steal the ball and run through on goal. He composed himself and finished powerfully past Robin Olsen who didn't cover himself in glory by staying very much in his own box. 

Zlatan Ibrahimovich came on as a second half substitute after the second goal for Poland, and perhaps Swedish manager Janne Andersson may have some regrets about not bringing on the talismanic forward at an earlier stage.

It was Poland's night in the end, as they battled and earned their place at the FIFA 2022 World Cup in Qatar in December. Having lost out in the group stages in the 2018 World Cup, the 2022 edition of the tournament will be the first time they've played back-to-back WC finals since their appearances in 2002 and 2006.

Poland vs. Sweden live score

  1H 2H Final
Poland 0 2 2
Sweden 0 0 0

Goals: Lewandowski (P) 50' Zielinski 73'
 

(All times Eastern)

FULL TIME - POLAND QUALIFY FOR THE WORLD CUP!

90th Min: 4 MINUTES ADDED TIME!

80th Min: Yellow Card for Isak and Bielik after a coming together off the ball.

79th Min: Double Change for Sweden and it's Zlatan time!

Danielson and Olsson are off and Ibrahimovic and Karlsson come on to try and save Sweden!

76th Min: MARTIN OLSEN SAVES TWICE!

Firstly, Bednarek fires a header across at great pace, but Martin Olsen saves superbly with great reactions before Lewandowski fires another powerful header which he puts over for another corner. 

It's all Poland!

73rd Min: GOAL FOR POLAND! ZIELINSKI DOUBLES THE LEAD!!

It's a vital mistake by Danielson, who's poor control lets Zielinski through on goal. He keeps his cool and slots powerfully past Olsen! 

69th Min: Here's a look at the goal that separates the two sides right now!

67th Min: Double Substitution for Sweden!

It's Anthony Elanga and Mattias Svanberg on for Robin Quaison and Jesper Karlstrom.

57th Min: CHANCES FOR SWEDEN!

Forsberg goes close as his shot is saved well by Szczensy and turned around for a corner and then Victor Lindelof's header goes just past the post! 

52nd Min: Yellow card for Piotr Zielinski and rightly so after his reckless tackle!

50th Min: GOAL FOR POLAND! ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI MAKES NO MISTAKE! ADVANTAGE POLAND!

49th Min: PENALTY FOR POLAND! 

Clumsy tackle in the box from Jesper Karlstrom and it's a clear penalty! Lewandowski to take...

48th Min: Shot on target for Kulusevski early in the second half that was easily saved.

45th Min: Substitution at half time for Poland Goralski makes way for Grzegorz Krychowiak!

SECOND HALF UNDERWAY

HALF TIME IN POLAND! 

Chances for both sides in the first half but both sides are well matched in what was an absorbing first half!

 

45th Min: There will be two minutes of added time.

39th Min: YELLOW CARD FOR GORALSKI! 

A poor lunging tackle from the Polish player that was rightly rewarded with a yellow card.

36th Min: Goalless so far, but this game is heating up nicely! 10 minutes to go until half-time!

29th Min: Good play from Poland again, who's pressure results in a volley from Jan Bednarek who fires straight at Robin Olsen.

26th Min: Chance for Poland! 

A good chance for Matty Cash who fired a low cross wide with his weaker foot. Good play from Poland!

20th Min: Another chance for Sweden as Dejan Kulusevski fires a shot at goal which is blocked by the Polish defence!

19th Min: CHANCE FOR SWEDEN!

Alexander Isak breaks away and plays in Emil Forsberg who's left footed strike is well saved by Szczensy who turns it round the post for a corner. Great play from the young striker!

12th Min: Shot on Target for Sweden, as Robin Quaison fires a shot from distance that's easily gathered by Szczesny.

9th Min: Half-Chance for Poland!

Matty Cash plays a curling cross in and Lewandowski rises but heads wide!

8th Min: Good play from Poland sees Robert Lewandowski found in the box but ruled offside! 

Speaking of strikers, will we see Zlatan Ibrahimovic in this game? We hope so!

6th Min: Scrappy start to the game, but the crowd is in full voice!

KICK-OFF

1:45 p.m.: It's a huge night of international football ahead of us, but who will make it to the 2022 World Cup finals in Qatar?

Poland vs. Sweden lineups

 

Poland starting lineup (3-4-1-2 left to right): Szczesny— Bielik, Glik, Bednarek— Cash, Goralski, Moder, Bereszynski— Zielinski, Szymanski, Lewandowski

Poland subs (12): To be confirmed

 

Sweden starting lineup (4-4-2, left to right): Olsen — Augustinsson, Lindelof, Danielson, Krafth — Forsberg, Karlstrom, Olsson, Kulusevski - Quaison, Isak

Sweden subs (12): To be confirmed

George Priestman