In a thrilling encounter at the Motor Lublin Arena, Motor Lublin triumphed over Stal Mielec with a commanding 4-1 victory in the 26th round of the PKO BP Ekstraklasa on March 30, 2025. This match marked a significant moment for Motor Lublin as they showcased their attacking prowess and defensive solidity.
The match kicked off with both teams eager to assert their dominance. Stal Mielec had a promising start, creating an opportunity in the 9th minute when Piotr Wlazło’s header narrowly missed the target. However, it was Motor Lublin who would draw first blood. After a series of exchanges, Bartosz Wolski delivered a precise cross in the 28th minute, which was met by Arkadiusz Najemski’s powerful header. The ball ricocheted off the post and was deemed an own goal by Stal’s goalkeeper, Jakub Mądrzyk, giving Motor Lublin a 1-0 lead.
Despite the setback, Stal Mielec fought back, but their efforts were thwarted by a resolute Motor defense. Just four minutes after the halftime break, Bright Ede, making his debut, doubled Motor’s lead with a well-placed header from Wolski’s corner, marking a memorable start to his Ekstraklasa career.
Motor’s momentum continued in the 60th minute when Jakub Łabojko unleashed a stunning strike from outside the box, cementing a 3-0 advantage. The home crowd erupted in celebration as the team displayed their attacking flair.
In the 82nd minute, Samuel Mraz added a fourth goal, showcasing his exceptional form this season with his 13th goal, placing him fifth on the league's top scorers list. The match appeared to be firmly in Motor’s control.
However, Stal Mielec managed to find a consolation goal in the dying moments of the match. In the 90+8 minute, Krzysztof Wołkowicz capitalized on a defensive lapse to score, but it was too little, too late for the visitors.
This defeat marked Stal Mielec's sixth match without a win, as they now sit precariously in the relegation zone with only 23 points, one point behind Lechia. The pressure is mounting on coach Janusz Niedźwiedź, who faces increasing scrutiny over his position as head coach.
Attendance for the match was impressive, with 14,195 fans witnessing the action. The referee, Łukasz Kuźma, had a busy afternoon managing the game, issuing yellow cards to Najemski and Guillaumier.
Motor Lublin’s coach, Mateusz Stolarski, expressed satisfaction with his team's performance, stating, "We want to give something back to our fans after a disappointing result in our last match. Our supporters deserve to see us compete at this level and we aim to continue improving."
Looking ahead, Motor Lublin remains in eighth place following this victory, while Stal Mielec will need to regroup quickly as they prepare for their next match against Cracovia on April 4, 2025. With the stakes high, both teams will be looking to secure crucial points in the weeks to come.
As the season progresses, fans will be eagerly watching how the dynamics play out in the league, especially for Stal Mielec, who must turn their fortunes around to avoid relegation. The battle for survival in the Ekstraklasa is heating up, and every match will be pivotal as teams vie for their place in the top tier of Polish football.
