Szymanski’s late equaliser earns Poland a well-deserved point against England in a fantastic battle at the PGE Narodowy

Damian Szymanski’s goal in added time of the second half set the Polish fans crazy as their national team secured a hard-earned point against EURO 2020 finalists England.

After the Three Lions’ 2-1 victory in an empty Wembley Stadium, Paulo Sousa’s side needed to prove that they have what it takes in competing against a world-class side like Gareth Southgate’s England.

The EURO 2020 finalists were yet to be defeated in World Cup qualifying after recording five wins out of five with a perfect 15 points on the board.

Poland brought the fight to England from minute one as they looked to restrict the visitors from their usual possession-based football and had a flurry of chances that failed to test Jordan Pickford.

From the start of this game, the Whites and Reds were focused on nullifying the threat of Jack Grealish, Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling which they did to great effect.

Kalvin Phillips earned the first yellow card of the match after he fouled Tymoteusz Puchacz with that challenge the first of many in a tense encounter.

As the half progressed, England grew into the game more and more. Sterling delivered an inviting cross into Kane, but the captain’s effort was tame and didn’t trouble the Poland goal.

Robert Lewandowski had the chance of the half as he made his way past the English defence and tried to lob Pickford. However, Poland’s number nine was unable to get enough lift and power to lob England’s number one as the goalkeeper claimed the ball with relative ease.

Tensions boiled over in the half-time interval after Kamil Glik’s clash with Kyle Walker at the end of the first 45 minutes. Referee Daniel Siebert and both captains, Kane and Lewandowski, calmed the situation down with Glik and Harry Maguire booked after the incident.

The competitiveness continued into the second half but England grew strong and had efforts that tested Wojciech Szczesny for the first time.

In the 72nd minute, the visitors took the lead through a brilliantly taken Harry Kane goal. The England captain received the ball from Kyle Walker and looked up to see if a pass was on. None in blue was in space so he decided to take the shot on with his effort swerving past Jan Bednarek and Szczesny’s outstreched hand to give the Three Lions the lead.

Pickford had a slight scare in the latter stages of the match. The goalkeeper looked to clear his lines and boot the ball up the field but the on-running Karol Swiderski saw the ball cannon off of his leg and over Pickford. However, England’s number one was able to recover and caught the ball before it crossed the goal line.

Poland did not give up and finally got a well-deserved goal in the 92nd minute. After Moder’s shot was blocked, Lewandowski was able to recycle the ball and cross the ball into the box. Szymanski got his head on it and saw the ball hit the back of the net as he ran of celebrating.

The draw between the two sides was read very differently. Poland looked like they’d just beaten England where as the Three Lions looked defeated and deflated.

However, England remain top of Group I with five wins and a draw under their belt with the White and Reds dropping to third after Albania’s 5-0 thumping of San Marino.

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