The Polish national team around Robert Lewandowski lost their European Championship opener against Slovakia somewhat surprisingly. Goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny suffered a particular mishap.
The 53rd international match was a historic one for Wojciech Szczesny. The Polish goalkeeper was the first goalkeeper ever to score an own goal in a European Championship match against Slovakia. In the more than 50-year history of the competition, this had not happened to any other goalkeeper. At the moment of the mishap, Szczesny was certainly not yet aware of this historical dimension. Especially since there was a lot of bad luck.
In the 18th minute, the former Nuremberg-based Robert Mak let two Poles get off the left flank elegantly with a twist, pulled into the penalty area and shot flat into the lower left corner of the goal. However, it only hit the post – but from this the ball bounced from close range onto the back of Szczesny and from this into the goal. A keeper can hardly be more unlucky.
But this situation would ultimately usher in the Polish defeat. Because although the Poles scored the equalizer in the 46th minute through Karol Linetty, it was finally said 2: 1 for Slovakia, because Milan Skriniar (69th) also scored.
This is how the game went:
From the start, the Poles were looking for exceptional striker Robert Lewandowski in every attack. The Bayern star came early to two deals (4th / 5th), but was blocked in each case. He got the balls in his own half and applauded even if he missed a pass.
Poland was superior to the field at the beginning, but already seemed limited – they almost exclusively tried it through the middle, so the Slovaks had little trouble delivering Lewandowski. And were more adept at the game. Seasoned Marek Hamsik and Ondrej Duda from 1. FC Köln formed the game-creating duo. Called up as strikers, both were to be found almost everywhere, Duda (14th) also ensured the first dangerous conclusion.
Milan Skriniar (center): The Slovak scored the winning goal against Poland. (Source: Anton Vaganov / imago images)
Mak then benefited from a complete failure of the Polish defense, which led to the already described own goal in the 18th minute. It was now even harder for the Poles to build up pressure. Lewandowski was completely in the air until a harmless conclusion shortly before the break (43rd). Almost immediately after the restart, the team played their first single-minded attack and was rewarded immediately: Linetty scored from close range.
Only now did Poland turn up and permanently push the opponent back – Lewandowski, however, continued to play a minor role. A free kick by the striker got stuck in the wall (58th). The game now seemed to tip over, but the second yellow card for Grzegorz Krychowiak caused another break for the Poles in the 62nd minute. Defender Skriniar, Italian champion with Inter Milan, then hit the full score after a corner.
Poland – Slovakia 1: 2 (0: 1)
Goal scorers: Szczesny (18th minute / own goal), Linetty (46th), Skriniar (69th)
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