In a Group I fixture at the Stadion Narodowy in Warszawa, Poland, the Three Lions of England dropped their first points in the qualification for Qatar 2022 after a dramatic late equaliser in their Matchday six tie, championed by the sensational Pole Robert Lewandowski.
Earlier, the Bayern Munich record goal-scorer was well-placed to punish England in a feisty first half where the Poles created the only real chance. However, as Lewandowski latched on to a through ball with only Jordan Pickford to beat, he could not hit it past the England goalkeeper.
On the other side, the goal-scoring form of Harry Maguire was not enough to give him another goal as he hit the post for England in the second half. However, 18 minutes from time, his namesake and England captain, Harry Kane, did one better with a dipping long-range drive to put England ahead.
It seemed enough to give the visitors all the points to take back home to England but the Poles kept up the pressure into the final minutes and were rewarded with a last gasp leveller. A late header from Sebastian Szymanski rescued a point for Poland, ably assisted by Lewandowski for what could be a vital goal for the Polish team.
In the group standings, England maintain their lead and are now four points ahead of Albania and five ahead of Poland, who are in third place. England’s next qualifiers will be against Andorra away followed by Hungary at home next month.
Poland will have an expectedly easier tie at home against San Marino in their next game in October, before the crucial away fixture against Albania at the Arena Kombetare, which will go a long way to determine their qualification from the group.
