Poland Starts World Cup Qualifiers With Win Over Lithuania

Poland's national football team kicked off its journey in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Lithuania on March 21, 2025. The match, held at the PGE Narodowy in Warsaw, saw the renowned striker Robert Lewandowski score the decisive goal, solidifying his status as a key player for the team.

As the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the United States draws closer, the stakes are high for the Polish side, known as the Biało-Czerwoni (White and Reds). Their goal is to secure a spot in next year's tournament, facing stiff competition in Group G, which also includes Finland, Malta, and either the Netherlands or Spain, the latter two teams pending the outcome of the UEFA Nations League.

In another match on the same day, Finland triumphed over Malta, defeating them 1-0. The results of the first round of matches have left Poland and Finland tied for first place in the group, both with three points, having won their opening games.

Eager to maintain their momentum, Poland is set to face Malta again at home on March 24, 2025. Historically, the Polish team has performed exceptionally well against Malta, enjoying a perfect record with four victories in four encounters and an impressive goal tally of 13-0. This historical performance boosts the confidence of the team as they prepare for their upcoming match.

While the opening match against Lithuania was a success, it did not come without challenges. Poland struggled to dominate the game, with fans leaving the stadium feeling mixed emotions. They were relieved by the late goal from Lewandowski in the 81st minute, as he notched his 85th goal for the national team—a remarkable feat that places him among the top scorers in European football history, just behind Romelu Lukaku.

The match saw Poland controlling possession but failing to capitalize on several opportunities. Critical moments included a disallowed goal due to an offside call, which left the home crowd in disbelief. Cynics would argue this early-stage performance didn’t fully reflect Poland’s potential, especially as they look toward tougher matches ahead.

The team stands at a significant point, needing to secure victories in the coming fixtures, especially against Malta, who currently sit at 168th in the FIFA rankings. With Poland 35th in the rankings, every point counts as they aim for direct qualification into the World Cup, which will be awarded to the group winners, while the second-placed team will have to face a playoff in March 2026.

In their last outing against Malta, which took place on December 11, 2003, Poland achieved a dominant 4-0 victory. This historic win adds further pressure for the Maltese team heading into the next match. Fans are expected to flock to the PGE Narodowy once again on March 24 to support their home side.

The schedule for Group G continues to unfold, with Finland facing challenges of its own as they prepare to play Lithuania, who is currently seeking their first points of the campaign. Group standings reveal Poland and Finland both sitting on three points, well ahead of Malta and Lithuania, who are still without a win.

This weekend promises excitement as teams across European qualifications clash for their World Cup dreams. With so much at stake, each match will play a crucial role in shaping the pathway to the tournament. Poland's dedication and determination will be put to the test as they look to follow up their opening success with another solid performance against Malta.

As the qualifiers progress, the anticipation builds not just for Poland but for all teams involved, as the dream of competing on the world stage looms large. The fans remain supportive, holding their breath for what next week's clash will bring. Will Poland continue their winning ways and maintain their top position in Group G?