Author: Amrit Santlani
Poland hosted Germany at the National Stadium in Warsaw on Friday evening, when the two European powers met for an international friendly. Germany, the hosts of UEFA EURO 2024, are already guaranteed a place in next year’s tournament as host nation and so they played Poland while the rest of Europe’s big players were in action in European qualifying.
Jakub Kiwior helped the Polish team to a 1-0 win over the Germans, despite Fernando Santos’ side only having one shot on goal and their opponents having 67% of the possession.
Joshua Kimmich and company bombarded the Polish goal with ten shots, but Kiwior’s goal just after the break proved to be the difference between the two teams.
This was Jakub Błaszczykowski’s last match for the national team and he was the captain in his farewell match. Robert Lewandowski had a glimpse of goal early on, but his shot narrowly missed the target, before the play was disallowed for offside. Thilo Kehrer then tested Wojciech Szczęsny with a long-range attempt, but failed to do any damage.
Kai Havertz forced the Polish goalkeeper into another save after shooting from 30 meters out, but the Germans were unable to open the scoring. From the corner kick, Emre Can tried to trip a teammate inside the Polish box, but the Poles survived the initial attack.
At the other end, Kiwior headed in a corner to open the scoring in the 31st minute, completely against the run of play. It was the defender’s first international goal, and one that would prove to be memorable.
In the second half, Robin Gosens tested Szczęsny, but the 33-year-old made another incredible save. The Germans continued to press Poland and Kimmich hit the crossbar with a long-range effort.
Hansi Flick’s men continued to search for an equalizer when Havertz tested the Polish goalkeeper once again, but he stood firm. Szczęsny made another magnificent save to stop Malick Thiaw’s powerful shot
He then made two more world-class saves, stopping Marius Wolf’s header, before denying Leon Goretzka from a corner, preserving his unbeaten run and helping Poland to a remarkable victory.