Robert Lewandowski celebrates after scoring from the spot against Sweden© AFP
Robert Lewandowski shot in a penalty in the second half as Poland secured their place in the World Cup final with a 2-0 win over Sweden in Tuesday’s play-off. After the Poland captain converted a spot, Piotr Zielinski put the game beyond doubt with a stunning second goal for the hosts in Chorzow. Juventus goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny played a key role in Poland’s victory with saves against Swedish playmaker Emil Forsberg in both halves.
Poland will enter the draw for the group stage of the World Cup final from November 21 to December 18 on Friday, after dominating the second half.
The Poles were awarded the crucial penalty just after the break.
Attacking midfielder Sebastian Szymanski rolled the ball into substitute Grzegorz Krychowiak, on a foul by Jesper Karlstrom.
The referee pointed straight at the dot and it was a signature penalty from Lewandowski. The Bayern Munich ace casually bent his run, waited for Robin Olsen, then shoved the ball to the Swedish goalkeeper’s left.
It was his 75th goal for Poland and arguably one of his most important.
Zielinski put the result beyond doubt as he took advantage of a slip from Swedish defender Marcus Danielson and sprinted clear.
He fired his shot past Olsen with 18 minutes to go to send the home crowd partying wildly.
Only a great save from Olsen denied Lewandowski a second goal as the Polish striker was given a rare late chance in the area by the Swedish defence.
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Veteran Zlatan Ibrahimovic came on for the last 10 minutes, but the 40-year-old Swedish striker was unable to influence the course of the game and will miss a third appearance in a World Cup final.
(This story was not edited by DailyExpertNews staff and was generated automatically from a syndicated feed.)
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