On a dramatic Monday night in Szczecin, Pogoń Szczecin pulled off a stunning last-gasp victory over Korona Kielce, clinching a 2-1 win in the 25th round of the PKO BP Ekstraklasa. The match, played at the Florian Krygier Stadium in front of 13,491 passionate fans, had everything a football supporter could ask for: early drama, missed chances, emotional returns, and a finish that left one side elated and the other devastated.
Heading into the encounter, both teams were under pressure to secure points in a table that has become remarkably tight. Pogoń, sitting 14th with 31 points, were just two ahead of Legia Warszawa and desperate to distance themselves from the relegation zone. Korona, in 11th place with 33 points, had a chance to edge closer to the European spots and further clear of danger. The stakes couldn’t have been higher, and it showed from the opening whistle.
For Korona, the return of Dawid Błanik to the starting lineup was a sentimental subplot. Błanik, the team’s top scorer, had not only battled back from recent health issues but was also returning to the city where he made his Ekstraklasa debut with Pogoń. “I’m not looking at Pogoń’s place in the table, they certainly have a lot of quality. We’re focused on ourselves, we want to play a good match. If we reach our best level, which we’ve shown away this season, I’m sure we’ll leave Szczecin with three points,” Błanik said before the match, brimming with confidence and optimism.
Korona’s head coach, Jacek Zieliński, echoed that sentiment, emphasizing the motivational role of pressure in football: “We’re going to Szczecin to fight for three points. There’s a lot of expectation on us too. In football, pressure is what drives everything. Whoever handles it well is very strong.” Zieliński had to make do without Konrad Matuszewski, who was still rehabilitating from injury, but otherwise had a full squad ready to take on the challenge.
The home side, led by Thomas Thomasberg, had their own selection headaches. Molnar and Wahlqvist were sidelined with injuries, while Ali and Acosta missed out due to suspensions. Despite these absences, Pogoń remained a formidable opponent, especially at home, where they had not lost since November.
The match kicked off at 19:00, broadcast live on CANAL+ Sport 3 and CANAL+ Sport 5, with commentary from Robert Skrzyński and Adam Szała. From the outset, both teams showed their intent. In the 9th minute, Błanik whipped in a dangerous free kick for Korona, met by Slobodan Rubezić’s header, but Pogoń’s keeper Valentin Cojocaru was alert to the danger. Pogoń responded through Danijel Loncar, whose angled shot in the 13th minute rippled the side netting, drawing gasps from the crowd.
Then, in the 24th minute, came the first major twist. Wiktor Długosz swung in a cross from the right, Adam Szalai flicked it on, and in a moment he’ll want to forget, Cojocaru attempted to punch clear but inadvertently sent the ball into his own net. The away end erupted as Korona took a shock lead, and the hosts were left stunned. Just three minutes later, Korona nearly doubled their advantage when Sotiriou and Rubezić found themselves in a tangle in the box, but Cojocaru redeemed himself with a crucial save.
Pogoń gradually regained composure, testing Korona’s keeper Xavier Dziekoński with efforts from Paul Mukairu and Mads Agger, but the visitors’ defense held firm. As halftime approached, Agger twice forced Dziekoński into smart saves, but Korona held their slender advantage heading into the break.
The second half saw both managers shuffle their decks. In the 58th minute, Mariusz Stępiński thought he had scored a spectacular goal for Korona, only for the referee to rule it out for offside. Simultaneously, Polish international Kamil Grosicki entered the fray for Pogoń, replacing Karol Angielski, to a raucous ovation from the home fans. Grosicki’s introduction added a spark to Pogoń’s attack, but it was Jose Pozo, brought on in the 59th minute, who would ultimately steal the headlines.
Pogoń’s persistence paid off in the 68th minute. A loose ball in the box fell kindly to Pozo, who rifled home to bring the hosts level. The stadium erupted, and suddenly, the momentum had shifted. Korona, though, were not content to settle for a point. Stjepan Davidović went close with a sharp angled shot, but Cojocaru was equal to it. Grosicki, eager to make his mark, unleashed a powerful drive from 20 meters in the 83rd minute, but once again Dziekoński denied the hosts.
As the match ticked into added time, the tension was palpable. Pogoń threw everything forward, desperate for a winner. In the 96th minute, a chaotic scramble in the Korona box saw Długosz hack the ball clear for a corner. But the reprieve was short-lived. From the ensuing set piece, the ball broke to Pozo at the edge of the area. With nerves of steel, he fired low and hard, beating Dziekoński and sending the home crowd into delirium. It was the 97th minute, and Pogoń had snatched victory from the jaws of a draw.
For Korona, it was a gut-wrenching defeat. They had battled bravely, led for much of the match, and looked set to earn a valuable point away from home. But football can be cruel, and on this night, it was Pogoń who celebrated. The result means Pogoń leapfrog Korona in the table, tightening the scrap for safety and European ambitions alike. For the fans in Szczecin, it was a night to savor—a reminder of why we love the beautiful game, with all its unpredictability and drama.
As the season enters its final stretch, both teams know there’s no room for complacency. With the table so tightly packed, every point counts, and every match can swing fortunes. But for now, Pogoń Szczecin can bask in the glow of a dramatic home win, while Korona Kielce are left to regroup and look ahead to the next challenge.