Lewandowski And Zieliski Goals Take Poland To 2022 World Cup

JAKARTA - The Polish national team secured a place in the 2022 World Cup after defeating Sweden with a score of 2-0 in the European zone qualifying play-off final route B at the Silesian Stadium, Chorzow, Poland, Tuesday evening local time (Wednesday morning, western Indonesia time).

Quoted from Antara, Poland's two winning goals were scored by Robert Lewandowski's penalty execution in the 50th minute and Piotr Zieliski's kick in the 72nd minute.

Poland's success in advancing to the Qatar 2022 finals made them appear for the ninth time at the World Cup after previously participating in 1938, 1974, 1978, 1982, 1986, 2022, 2006, and 2018 editions.

In the first half, Poland was able to create the first opportunity through Robert Lewandowski when his header was sideways from the Swedish goal.

Sweden turned the threat through Real Sociedad striker Alexander Isak's effort in the 13th minute but his shot was too easy for Poland goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny.

During the first half, both teams played openly and gave each other threats, but until the break, the score was 0-0 for Poland and Sweden remained intact.

In the second half, Sweden threatened the Polish goal first, this time through an effort from Tottenham Hotspur striker Dejan Kulusevski, but Szczesny saved his shot.

Poland had a golden opportunity to go ahead in the 48th minute after being awarded a penalty when Sweden midfielder Jesper Karlstrom fouled Grzegorz Krychowiak in the box.

Robert Lewandowski, who came forward as executioner, did well and put Poland 1-0 up in the 50th minute after his shot was misread by Sweden goalkeeper Robin Olsen.

Leading 1-0, Poland grew confident and extended their lead in the 72nd minute when Napoli midfielder Piotr Zielinski scored after capitalizing on a Swedish defensive error.

In the remaining time of the second half, Sweden made several changes, including introducing the aging striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the 80th minute, but until the final whistle, the score was 2-0 for Poland's advantage to hold.