Legia Warszawa advanced to the semifinals of the Polish Cup on Wednesday evening, defeating Jagiellonia Białystok 3:1 in what turned out to be a thrilling encounter packed with drama, controversy, and impressive displays of individual skill.
The match began with high expectations, as both teams fielded their strongest lineups. Legia's coach, Goncalo Feio, made the surprising decision to leave out Rafał Augustyniak, who had been a mainstay for the team, opting instead to start Ilja Szkurin, who was making his debut for the senior squad.
From the outset, Legia sought to press their advantage at home. The first risky attempts came from former Jagiellonia player Marc Gual, whose two initial shots failed to trouble Sławomir Abramowicz, the visiting team's goalkeeper. The hosts appeared eager to open the scoring, but their efforts were thwarted.
It was Jagiellonia who struck first. A smooth buildup led to Jarosław Kubicki scoring the opener at the 30-minute mark, placing the ball past Legia’s Vladan Kovacevic after receiving it from Miki Villar. This unexpected lead shocked the home crowd, especially as just two minutes later, Legia nearly equalized when Bartosz Kapustka's shot ricocheted off the post.
With tensions rising, the home side regrouped and focused on regaining control of the match. The second half began with renewed vigor as Legia established dominance. Their efforts paid off just eight minutes after the restart when Jan Ziółkowski headed home Morishita's precise cross from the left side, leveling the score at 1:1.
Seeking to capitalize on their momentum, Legia mounted several attacks. A pivotal moment arrived in the 80th minute when the referee, Piotr Lasyk, awarded Jagiellonia a penalty following Oskar Pietuszewski's fall inside the box. After lengthy VAR deliberations, the penalty was overturned, much to the relief of the home supporters.
Legia used this reprieve to reclaim the lead. By the 85th minute, Kapustka executed a clever play, which allowed Ryoya Morishita to break through the Jagiellonia defense and bury the ball past Abramowicz, making it 2:1. The Japanese player, who had been brought on to make his mark, was now the hero of the hour.
But the excitement didn't end there! With the game entering stoppage time, Morishita scored once again, solidifying the final score at 3:1 with another close-range shot, putting the match beyond Jagiellonia’s reach.
The win not only advanced Legia to the next stage of the Polish Cup but also rekindled hope for the club's fanbase, who had watched their team struggle to keep pace in the league. The atmosphere grew electric as 23,816 fans cheered on their team, relieved to see them perform with tenacity and skill. This victory might just be the turning point Legia needs.
Post-match reactions included expressions of joy and disbelief from players and fans alike. “The victory was necessary to save the season,” one player commented, underscoring the weight of this performance.
What’s next for Legia? They are on course to face other formidable opponents, including first-league team Ruch Chorzów and Pogoń Szczecin, both of whom have also made it to the semifinals. Meanwhile, the loss for Jagiellonia means they will look to regroup as they focus on league fixtures, hoping to bounce back from this bitter defeat.
Legia Warszawa has demonstrated resilience and capability—qualities they will need as they push forward toward the cup final.