The Pole electrifies the national team’s fans. Was the debut “enter the dragon”?
Oskar Pietuszewski played in the Poland-Albania match. The attacking midfielder has certainly been in great shape in recent weeks.
In the case of coach Jan Urban’s philosophy – Oskar Pietuszewski’s performance – was not so obvious. The coach of the Polish national team mentioned the FC Porto player in WPROST, in a special interview before the 2026 World Cup play-offs.
– Today, Oskar is being taken to task, there were others earlier, but no one talks about them anymore. It all depended on their disposition. However, I don’t get excited so quickly when someone has a few good matches, half a round, or even half a year. And he has to play in the Polish national team immediately? In my opinion, that’s not how it works. On the other hand, if the choice is not very large, you often have to choose players who are in the right condition at a given moment and can help the national team. So you have to be able to maintain balance when making decisions – admitted Urban before the official list of those called up for the March training camp was announced.
Pietuszewski found his place among the 25 players selected by the Polish coach. As we expected, the player entered the field as a substitute. Was this a typical dragon entrance?
Paradoxically, this is the nickname of… FC Porto players. Dragões, or in Portuguese – Dragons.
Pietuszewski replaced Filip Rózga, who quite unexpectedly got a place in the starting 11.
Oskar Pietuszewski electrifies fans. Is this the future star of the Polish national team?
Even in the colors of FC Porto, the “Dragon” provided quality more often from the bench. The footballer, born in 2008, has already made his debut in the Polish youth national teams. The latter, under the baton of coach Jerzy Brzęczek, could count on the performances of their ace – then still playing for Jagiellonia Białystok.
However, Pietuszewski’s debut in the senior team was only a matter of time. And if he has already played in the most important team in the country, it is possible that he will open the door to even greater football. Although this also means a lot in the context of the leader of the Portuguese league and a large European company.
Such a scenario can only work to the benefit of the Polish national team.
How did Pietuszewski perform? He certainly gave more offensively than the above-mentioned Rózga, playing Albania’s defensive formations quite impressively several times. However, these were moments – you can see that he can certainly play even better. And a debut always weighs heavily.
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.
