Poland move into play-off spot after a crucial win over Albania at a very hostile Arena Kombëtare

Karol Swiderski’s goal in the 77th minute was enough for the White and Reds to extend their unbeaten run and move into second place in Group I.

In probably the most important game of each sides’ World Cup qualifying campaign, Albania came into this game one point ahead of Poland after seven games.

The stadium was filled with Albanian fans with only a section of the upper-tier filled by supporters waving white and red Poland flags.

From the get-go, the atmosphere was hostile towards the visiting Polish side. The Albanian fans were there for one reason, to see their national team get the win and move a step closer to reaching next year’s World Cup in Qatar.

Poland had the first chance of the game. Tymoteusz Puchacz whipped the ball into the box that had to be rescued by Kamil Jozwiak with his weak header not troubling Etrit Berisha.

Paulo Sousa’s side could have been a goal down if it wasn’t for Grzegorz Krychowiak’s timely intervention. The midfielder had the ball taken off of him but was there to make the crucial clearance before it was too late.

The visitors continued on the front foot and went close again through Adam Buksa. The forward received the ball from Robert Lewandowski’s knockdown but saw his effort go over after attempting to divert it goalwards whilst laying on the ground.

Jakub Moder found Puchacz in space once more as the Union Berlin defender tried to find a teammate in White and Red in the box. However, his cross was claimed by Berisha with Poland still looking for a breakthrough.

In a rare chance for Albania, Elseid Hysaj found Keidi Bare in some space with the midfielder blazing his effort over.

Poland’s best chance, and the only shot on target during the first half, came from Piotr Zielinski. Some good work from the Napoli midfielder saw him unleash a powerful effort goalwards but Berisha was equal to the task as the goalkeeper caught the ball.

The second half was more of the same as both sides searched to break the deadlock. Ylber Ramadani had a great chance for the hosts with the midfielder’s effort blocked by a compact Poland defence.

Jozwiak had a fantastic opportunity in the 67th minute but none of his teammates were in the box to score an easy tap-in.

The White and Reds had another golden opportunity a few minutes later. After his mistakes during the first half, Krychowiak grew into the game and robbed Bare of the ball. He had two options, shoot or pass the ball to Lewandowski.

The midfielder tried the latter but it didn’t pay off as Berisha blocked the attempted pass with Zielinski’s rebound going over.

Poland’s constant attacking threat finally paid off in the 77th minute after Mateusz Klich’s brilliant cross was met by Karol Swiderski who beat the goalkeeper at his near post and gave Sousa’s side the lead.

During the celebrations, however, the Albanian fans threw water bottles at the Polish players which saw the game stopped and postponed for 20 minutes.

After the rowdy Albanian fans calmed down, the fixture was continued with the Eagles causing some troubles late on.

Armando Broja had two brilliant chances in the dying embers of the game but Poland’s defenders kept calm and composed as they kept onto a clean sheet and an important 1-0 victory.

The win moved the White and Reds into second place, two points ahead of Albania with two games to go. Sousa’s men face Andorra and Hungary in their final two matches with Edoardo Reja’s men taking on England and Andorra during November’s international break.

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