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Poland’s number nine proved just why he is one of the best strikers in the world.
With Paulo Sousa’s men down 2-0, Robert Lewandowski showed his class and striking ability as he allowed Poland to level the game up at 2-2.
The White and Reds ultimately fell short after Viktor Claesson scored Sweden’s third as he was allowed to run one on one with Wojciech Szczesny and bury the ball beyond the Polish goalkeeper.
Throughout the tournament, Poland’s captain has proved to be a shining light in this squad that has failed to deliver on the international stage for a second consecutive tournament.
Against the Swedes, Lewandowski was full of running and alongside Sousa on the touchline was giving pointers to his teammates in regards to what needs to be done to score.
Sweden got the lead very early on in the match as they shocked the White and Reds. Alexander Isak was bundled over but the ball luckily bounced off him into the path of Emil Forsberg who slotted the ball into the bottom corner of Szczesny’s goal.
The Bayern Munich striker went on to fire his Polish teammates to see them push on together and stick with each other as they did in Seville only a couple of days ago.
Lewandowski was on the end of two fantastic opportunities in the 18th minute. After he won a corner when his shot was deflected for a corner, Poland’s number nine was unmarked when the ball came into the box.
He headed his first effort onto the crossbar, and on the rebound, he failed to leap high enough as once more the ball cannoned off the bar.
Poland failed to hit the target in the first-half despite having mustered up six shots. It was Piotr Zielinski who had the final effort of the half, but Robin Olsen was aware of the danger as he made a fantastic save to deny the midfielder.
The second 45 minutes saw the White and Reds start relatively well as Grzegorz Krychowiak and Zielinski found themselves with chances, but Sweden’s shot-stopper was on top form throughout the match.
A fantastic counter-attacking move lead by Dejan Kulusevski saw the Juventus man set up Forsberg for his second of the game as he doubled Sweden’s lead.
Sousa’s men did not give up easily and responded with a goal of their own two minutes later. Zielinski found Lewandowski in open space and threaded a pass towards Poland’s main man.
He took the ball under control and shifted the ball onto his right foot as he unleashed an effort that went into the top left corner of Olsen’s goal.
Poland could have been on level terms four minutes after Lewandowski’s goal. Substitute Przemyslaw Frankowski found fellow substitute Jakub Swierczok who bundled the ball into the back of the net, but the goal was ruled out due to the forward being in an offside position.
The leveller was scored in the 84th minute as Frankowski once more crossed the ball into the box. The winger found Lewandowski, who took a touch and tucked the ball underneath Olsen to equalise for the White and Reds.
Poland were well and truly back as they pushed on to try and find a winner with the little time that was left. Those dreams were dashed in the dying embers of added time as Claesson was able to net the winner.
Sousa’s men tried their best but this tournament once again went down as a write off for Poland as they failed to reach the knockout stages for the second consecutive international tournament.
All attentions will now turn on the World Cup Qualifiers after a poor start. Beating Andorra, drawing to Hungary and losing to England sees the White and Reds in fourth place, five points away from group leaders England.
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