Poland 2-1 Wales: 5 taking points as hosts produced a late comeback to sink a Gareth Bale-less Dragons | 2022-23 UEFA Nations League
Poland came from behind to beat Wales 2-1 in Wroclaw in their opening game of the 2022-23 UEFA Nations League on Wednesday, June 1.
Jakub Kaminski and Karol Swiderski came off the bench to cancel out Jonny Williams' opener for the visitors.
The first half was a rather cagey affair with minimal goal-mouth action, but the Dragons returned from the break as the stronger team.
Just seven minutes into the half, Williams unleashed a long-range belter that found the bottom corner and Wales were 1-0 in front.
Poland were struggling to find their rhythm but Tymoteusz Puchacz's blazing run down the flanks culminated with Kaminski converting his cross.
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Poland and Wales brought the heat for the first match of the 2022/23 UEFA Nations League 🇵🇱⚔️🏴
Relive Poland’s 2-1 win here ⬇️ https://t.co/T3FqSQ3z7N
With just five minutes of normal time remaining, Swiderski popped up with a winner as a scramble inside the box led to him curling one into the net.
Wales didn't throw in the towel, though, and pushed for a late equalizer, but Poland were able to weather the late storm and seal all three points.
They now take the top spot in Group 4 of League A with Belgium and The Netherlands not scheduled to play until Friday.
Wales, meanwhile, will turn their attention to the FIFA World Cup qualifiers on Sunday (June 5). A win against either Ukraine or Scotland will book their place at the Qatar showpiece later this year.
#5 Wales rue tough luck in Poland once again
Wales came into the game without a single victory in any of their previous four visits to Poland against the hosts, yielding no goals either. While they ended their goal drought in the country, the Dragons once again came away without a win, throwing their lead away late on.
Their visit to Poland came in September 1973 for a World Cup qualifier which ended in a 3-0 defeat before a pair of goalless draws in 1991 and 2000.
Then in 2005, the sides locked horns once again in a World Cup qualifier that Poland won 1-0 at home. The Eagles now snatched a 2-1 win from the jaws of a defeat.
Wales always seem to run out of luck in this country.
#4 Poland catch Wales out in defence
Up until the equalizer, Poland were struggling to find their rhythm, with Robert Lewandowski barely even getting a clear shot at goal besides his earlier attempt.
However, the Dragons were caught asleep at the wheel midway through the second half and the hosts made them pay by pulling level into the match.
Tymoteusz Puchacz rampaged down the left flank before finding Kaminski. The winger had acres of space around him to take a touch before shifting the ball to his other foot and firing beyond the stranded Wayne Hennessey.
There were four Welsh players surrounding Kaminski when the ball was played, but all too distant from him. This allowed him the time and space to adjust himself and make the shot.