Poland kicked off their journey towards the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a decisive 1-0 victory over Lithuania at the PGE Narodowy in Warsaw on March 21, 2025. This match marked the first qualifier for both teams in the UEFA European qualifiers, aiming for a pivotal spot in the upcoming global tournament.
The Polish team, led by their captain Robert Lewandowski, headed into the fixture with the hopes of reversing a grim run of form that had seen them win only once in their last nine matches. Despite this recent slump, Poland emerged as clear favorites in this encounter against Lithuania, a team that has yet to qualify for a major tournament in ten attempts.
Before kick-off, Poland's squad featured several notable players, particularly Lewandowski, who has made 156 appearances and scored 84 goals for his country. He had returned to the squad after missing critical matches against Scotland and Portugal in November, and he exhibited his sharpness during this match, eventually putting Poland ahead in the second half.
In contrast, Lithuania, managed by Edgaras Jankauskas, faced significant challenges heading into this match. The team has recently been on a seven-match losing streak and was positioned 142nd in the FIFA rankings. Despite the odds, Lithuania hoped to capitalize on any lapses by the Polish defense.
As the game progressed, Poland dominated possession, creating numerous opportunities to score but struggled to find the back of the net until Lewandowski's breakthrough moment. The captain's goal not only relieved the mounting pressure on his teammates but also injected much-needed confidence into a squad aiming to reset their trajectory ahead of more qualifying matches.
The match statistics reflect Poland's dominance, registering 24 shots with 7 on target, compared to Lithuania's 8 total attempts and only 2 on target. The Polish defense, marshaled effectively, kept Lithuania at bay with the visitors failing to make significant inroads into the host's territory.
The victory serves as a critical step for Poland in their campaign to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup, having previously made it to the tournament in 2018 and again in 2022. They will now turn their attention to their next qualifying fixture against Malta.
Overall, this match was not only a necessary win for Poland but also highlighted the vast disparity between the two teams in terms of experience and quality on the field. It marked a promising start for Michal Probierz's men as they embark on their World Cup quest.
