In a nutshell, Belgium survived a scare to win their second match.
With Robert Lewandowski reinstalled as their spearhead, Belgium dominated the ball for much of the first half in Warsaw, looking for openings against opponents.
Michy Batshuayi met a superb Youri Tielemans cross from the right with a powerful header past Wojciech Szczsny in the 16th minute, putting them ahead.
Batshuayi pounces with a powerful header.
Watch the goal of Poland today!!
Poland began to play a higher line, with Lewandowski encouraging his teammates to close the gap between midfield and attack, aided by a raucous home crowd.
They were rewarded with fantastic chances for Sebastian Szymaski and Nicola Zalewski, but both players shot wide from within the penalty area.
Every time Poland attacked, they were pushed on, but Belgium seemed at ease after the break. With the clock ticking away, the visitors kept possession calmly, forcing Czesaw Michniewicz to shift his midfield in an attempt to regain possession.
Jacek Góralski fired a first-time volley over the crossbar in a frenzied final sequence,
while Los Openda tested Szczsny on either side of Leandro Trossard going close for Belgium at the other end.
Karol Widerski headed Lewandowski’s wonderful cross against the post as the game reached extra time, infuriating a crowd of nearly 57,000.
As a result, Belgium hung on to second position, three points ahead of Poland and three points behind section leaders the Netherlands.
Poland was significantly superior to their 6-1 humiliation in the first meeting between these two teams, but it was not enough to gain a point.
Belgium wowed with their ability to keep control of the game and modify the pace as needed. In the second half,
the hosts were much better and could have evened the score, with Widerski coming close twice, but it was not to be.
Reaction
Poland coach Czesaw Michniewicz:
“The result of our first and second games against Belgium is the same: we did not get any points. But, of course, we took a different approach tonight. After the first game, we realised we couldn’t play open football against Belgium.”
Poland striker Karol Widerski:
“We had a few decent chances in the last minutes of the game,
and I’m disappointed we didn’t take advantage of them. It’s a shame we lost because we hadn’t lost at home in a long time. But we’re not worried; there’s still plenty of time before the World Cup finals, and I’m confident we’ll be ready.”
After defeating Poland 1-0 at PGE Narodowy in Warsaw,
Belgium is three points clear in second place in Nations League Group A4.
Michy Batshuayi‘s header in the 16th minute proved to be the game-winner in a tense match.
In the 33rd minute, Eden Hazard thought he had extended Belgium’s lead, but his goal was ruled out for offside.
On the stroke of half-time, Nicola Zalewski almost equalised for Poland,
but his effort flew just wide of Simon Mignolet’s right post.
In the second half, Belgium rushed forward again,
and it was Thorgan Hazard’s turn to try his luck in the 54th minute,
but his first-time effort from close range sailed just wide of the post.
On a night when Belgium merited their three points, Poland failed to muster a shot on target.
After four matches, the Red Devils sit three points ahead of Poland in third place, with seven points.
Belgium will host Wales on September 22 before
facing the Netherlands in their last group match on September 25 at the Estadi Johan Cruyff.
After a 3-2 win over Wales on Tuesday, the Netherlands lead the group with 10 points from four games.
