Warsaw witnessed an emotional and historic moment as the Polish national football team triumphed over Germany with a 1-0 victory in a friendly match, serving as a farewell for Jakub Błaszczykowski. It marked only the second win for the White and Reds against their renowned rivals, and the occasion was filled with heartfelt gestures and exceptional performances on the pitch.
The match commenced with Jakub Błaszczykowski taking his place in the starting lineup as the team’s captain for the symbolic duration of 16 minutes, signifying the final moments of his illustrious career in the national squad. This appearance marked his 109th match representing Poland.
Prior to kick-off, Cezary Kulesza, the president of the Polish Football Association (PZPN), officially expressed gratitude to Kuba for his 109 appearances for the national team. In response, the fans reciprocated their appreciation by giving the player a standing ovation. It was evident that tears of emotion welled up in our player’s eyes.
In the 13th minute, it was Błaszczykowski who found himself in the penalty area with a chance to score, but he was thwarted at the last moment by a German defender. Shortly after, he left the field, where his equally moved wife and children awaited him in the tunnel.
However, it was in the 31st minute that the White and Reds took the lead. Following a corner kick delivered by Sebastian Szymański, Jakub Kiwior headed the ball into the net, registering his first goal for the Polish national team.
At halftime, Poland held a 1-0 advantage over their opponents.
The second half began with Robert Lewandowski and Sebastian Szymański making way for Arkadiusz Milik and Karol Linetty on the field. It is worth noting that Poland’s next match, this time an elimination game, awaits them on Tuesday against Moldova.
Shortly after the start of the second half, Germany came agonizingly close to equalizing the score. Joshua Kimmich struck the ball with his left foot from a distance, only to see it hit the crossbar of the Polish goal.
In the 66th minute, our rivals threatened Wojciech Szczęsny’s goal once again. However, this time the Juventus goalkeeper brilliantly saved a low shot from Kai Havertz.
The German team’s dominance grew with each passing minute. Fifteen minutes before the end of the match, the Polish fans united in singing their national anthem, Mazurek Dąbrowskiego, while our western neighbors came close to scoring once again. Once more, Szczęsny came to the rescue, spectacularly denying a powerful shot from Malick Thiaw within the penalty area.
In response, the White and Reds launched a counter-attack that could have secured them a second goal, but Przemysław Frankowski’s attempt inside the box went awry.
Just before the final whistle, Szczęsny exhibited his prowess by saving two German headers, clearing the ball off the goal line.
With this victory, Poland’s record against Germany now stands at two wins, seven draws, and 13 losses, marking a significant moment in the history of Polish football.
The match was not only a testament to the talent and determination of the players but also a heartfelt tribute to the remarkable career of Jakub Błaszczykowski. The resounding victory over a formidable opponent and the emotional farewell from the fans will forever be cherished as a fitting farewell to an icon of Polish football.