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Football: Poland beaten by Belgium in Nations League

09.06.2022 08:45
Poland’s national football team on Wednesday suffered a 6:1 defeat against Belgium in the UEFA Nations League.
Polands Robert Lewandowski (centre) and Belgiums Kevin de Bruyne (right) battle for the ball during their teams Nations League encounter in Brussels on Wednesday, June 8, 2022.
Poland's Robert Lewandowski (centre) and Belgium’s Kevin de Bruyne (right) battle for the ball during their teams’ Nations League encounter in Brussels on Wednesday, June 8, 2022. PAP/Andrzej Lange

The match in Brussels started well for the Polish side. Captain and star striker Robert Lewandowski opened the scoring on 28 minutes after a free-flowing move involving Piotr Zieliński and Sebastian Szymański.

Belgium, ranked 2nd in the world, equalised shortly before the break as Axel Witsel struck from outside the penalty area.

It was all Belgium after the restart, with Kevin De Bruyne leading attack after attack on the Polish goal. 

He scored his team’s second, before substitute Leandro Trossard added two more strikes to settle the match.

Late goals from Leander Dendoncker and Lois Openda made it 6:1 to Belgium on the night.

Last week Poland, ranked 26th in the world, opened their Nations League campaign with a 2-1 home win against Wales in Wrocław.

Poland next take on the Netherlands in Rotterdam on June 11, in matchday three of the 2022/23 UEFA Nations League.

On June 14, Poland will face off against Belgium on home turf in Warsaw.

The UEFA Nations League

The Nations League is the European football governing body UEFA’s newest national-team competition that is now in its third edition.

The competition is designed to enable teams to play against those that are similarly ranked and may also offer an alternative path for teams to qualify for the 2024 European championships.

Portugal won the first edition of the Nations League in 2019, while France won the 2020/2021 UEFA Nations League after beating Spain 2-1 in the final in Milan in October.

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Source: PAPTVP Sport