Mixed bag of emotions after Paulo Sousa’s first three matches in charge of the Poland national team

One win, one draw and one loss is a reasonable first three results in charge of the national team.

Paulo Sousa knew he had a lot of work to do in this international break to put Poland back on the right track.

The White and Reds knew that a new manager will bring new expectations and hard work as Sousa looked to start his first World Cup qualifying in the right way.

2020 FIFA World Cup Qualifying v Hungary- 25th March 2021

Sousa’s first game in charge was Hungary away at the iconic Puskas Arena. This match threw so many twists and turns and was simply a joy to watch. A tough battle between the two sides ended in a six-goal thriller.

The start that Poland had was abysmal. They simply did not show up and gifted Marco Rossi’s men an easy goal in the sixth minute. Attila Fiola played a defence-splitting ball into the path of Roland Sallai with the striker taking aim at the near post and slotting the ball into the back of the net.

Poland were unable to get out of their own half as the Hungarians came flooding with attack after attack. The White and Reds were able to minimise the damage that the hosts inflicted and headed into the break one goal down.

In the second-half, it was more of the same which led to Hungary getting their second goal in the 52nd minute. Sallai took the shot on which the Poland defence failed to clear and saw Adam Szalai pounce on the chance.

The number nine took on the shot and was able to double the lead for Rossi’s men as they looked to run away with the match as they were in a comfortable position.

Kamil Jozwiak and Krzysztof Piatek were substituted not long after the goal to make an impact in the match, and did they do just that.

Jozwiak would cross the ball into the box which found Grzegorz Krychowiak with the midfielder squaring the ball to Piatek and the forward ensured he made no mistake to secure an instant impact.

A couple of seconds later it would be 2-2. Piotr Zielinski found the run of substitute Jozwiak as he slotted the ball into the bottom corner of Peter Gulacsi’s goal.

Willi Orban made it 3-2 in Hungary’s favour after a set-piece found the defender at the back post, and with 12 minutes to go Rossi’s men looked to have taken the points.

Robert Lewandowski had the last say as the forward drilled the ball into the top corner of the Hungary goal to equalise and the game finished 3-3.

All in all, it was an impressive second-half from Poland but the first-half display was below par and needed to be addressed sooner rather than later.

2020 FIFA World Cup Qualifying v Andorra- 28th March 2021

The second game of the group followed only three days later as Poland welcomed Andorra to the Polish Army Stadium in Warsaw.

Andorra were beaten in their opening qualifying match and the same would happen in the Polish capital as the White and Reds put together a strong and resolute display.

After the constant onslaught, the deadlock was broken on the half-hour mark through all-time top scorer and captain Robert Lewandowski.

Maciej Rybus delivered a dangerous ball into the box from a free-kick which the striker caught on the volley. The ball bounced off of Moisés San Nicolás and flew into the back of the net beating Íker Álvarez in the Andorra goal.

The captain scored his second of the game in the 55th minute. A delivery from Kamil Jozwiak was met by the skipper as he skewed his first attempt but was able to fire the ball past Alvarez at the second and subsequently doubled Poland’s lead.

Poland were able to get their third through debutant Karol Swiderski. Kamil Grosicki delivered the ball into the box with the forward stabbing his foot at it. The ball rolled through the legs of the Andorran goalkeeper and into the goal with Poland winning 3-0.

Limiting Andorra to only one shot in the whole match, the White and Reds showed their class and performed brilliantly as they recorded their first victory under Paulo Sousa.

2020 FIFA World Cup Qualifying v England- 31st March 2021

England are the favourites to top this World Cup qualifying group and were the toughest opponents that Paulo Sousa’s men faced during this recent international break.

Wembley has been a fortress that Poland have been unable to taste victory at, but without Robert Lewandowski, the Poles would be good at the back but lacking upfront.

It was the hosts who started the first-half brightly and won a penalty in the 18th minute. Piotr Zielinski’s pass was intercepted and played forward into the path of Raheem Sterling.

The forward used his blistering pace to get away from Grzegorz Krychowiak and run into the Poland penalty area. Running to the by-line, he was clipped by Michal Helik with the referee pointing to the spot. Harry Kane stood up to the task and smashed the ball straight down the middle to give England the lead at Wembley.

Kane had the next chance for the Three Lions on the hour mark. After a free-flowing move, Phil Foden laid the ball off to the England captain as he forced Wojciech Szczesny to make a dive to his right side to keep the ball out.

A mistake from John Stones gifted Poland the equaliser. Nick Pope passed the ball to the centre-back as he was caught out by the onrunning Jakub Moder who tapped the ball away from the Manchester City defender and into the path of Arkadiusz Milik.

Poland’s number seven played a lovely pass back to Moder as the midfielder set himself and fired the ball beyond Pope and into the back of the net.

Sousa’s side grew into the game and looked to get on the front foot after the attacking substitutions saw Milik and Kamil Jozwiak enter the field of play.

Milik had a chance to score not long after Poland’s equaliser. Piotr Zielinski crossed the ball into the England box with Krzysztof Piatek flicking the ball onto his striking partner but he could only head wide of the target.

Phil Foden was through on goal seconds later as the midfielder was played through by Mason Mount. Helik was running after the Manchester City youngster but it was a comfortable save for Szczesny.

With five minutes to go, a corner was played in. John Stones headed the ball back into the path of Harry Maguire and the defender was able to smash the ball into the back of the net to earn a valuable three points for the Three Lions.

Overall, four points from three games isn’t a bad return. Poland fans would have hoped for a victory against Hungary but a point from a losing position is good enough.

A convincing 3-0 victory against Andorra was the perfect performance against a side the White and Reds should be breezing past all day every day.

Having been beaten by England 2-1 was unfortunate. It was a valiant display from start to finish and Poland deserved a point from the match, but showed that they shouldn’t be taken lightly and ultimately fell short.

There are still seven games to go in qualifying and anything could happen, but most importantly Paulo Sousa needs to galvanise his team if they are to qualify for the World Cup next year.

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