Poles escaped from under the axe! Great emotions and promotion at PGE Narodowy

The fans who decided to appear in the stands of PGE Narodowy and watch the Poland-Albania match experienced a real mood swing. The fans outside the stands (over 56,000) probably experienced the same thing as they watched coach Jan Urban’s team survive the journey from hell to heaven.

Ultimately, however, after the goals of the team leaders – the most experienced on the pitch – Robert Lewandowski (1:1) and Piotr Zieliński (2:1), Poland still counts in the World Cup.

However, there is no doubt that it was a real battle. Albania could and actually… should have scored at least three goals. However, the guests either wasted great opportunities or Kamil Grabara did brilliantly in goal. One intervention in particular in the second 45 minutes was truly world-class on the part of the Polish goalkeeper.

Thanks to this, the Poles did not have to chase the result again (Grabara’s intervention at 1:1), because it is difficult to say whether they would be able to afford such a challenge again. This art would certainly be difficult.

However, in the end – especially in the case of the play-off formula – the winners should not be judged. Poles showed several faces in just 90 minutes. The first quarter was solid, with Albania deep in their own half. Then nervousness and losing a goal at half-time. Finally, a key goal by Lewandowski, giving hope and a beautiful ending with Zieliński’s goal.

Needless to say, the training staff, headed by coach Urban, certainly has something to think about in the context of March 31 – i.e. next Tuesday – and the final of the play-off fight for the 2026 World Cup.

Jan Urban’s team is undefeated! For the World Cup in the final against Sweden

It is worth adding that coach Urban’s team has had a really great series. In the second half of 2025, since the former distinguished representative, participant of the World Cup (1986), has been leading the team, the Polish national team has not lost a match.

In September, there was a draw with the Netherlands in Rotterdam (1:1) and a victory against Finland (3:1) in Chorzów. In October, a win in a friendly match against New Zealand (1-0), a participant of the 2026 World Cup – again at the Superauto.pl Silesian Stadium – and a qualifying victory against Lithuania (2-0) in Kaunas. And the last representative window, i.e. a November draw at the PGE Narodowy with the Dutch (1:1) and a slightly tired away victory over the much lower ranked Malta (3:2).

This achievement includes Thursday’s victory over Albania (2:1).

Now it’s time for the final of the 2026 World Cup play-offs – a difficult challenge – an away match against Sweden in Stockholm. The Swedes clearly defeated Ukraine 3-1 away on Thursday evening.