Widzew Łódź Claims 2-0 Victory Over Lechia Gdańsk

In a thrilling encounter at the Widzew Łódź stadium, the home team secured a 2-0 victory over Lechia Gdańsk on April 4, 2025, marking their third consecutive win in the PKO BP Ekstraklasa without conceding a single goal. The match was particularly significant as it served as the debut for coach Zeljko Sopić in front of his home crowd, and he could not have asked for a better start.

The first half was a tale of two goals, both scored late in the period. In the 39th minute, Juljan Shehu opened the scoring for Widzew after a well-coordinated play. Bartłomiej Pawłowski initiated the attack with a pass from the midfield to Samuel Kozlovsky, who made a run into the box, evaded defender Dominik Piła, and delivered a precise ball to Shehu. The Albanian midfielder took his time, positioned himself well, and placed a low shot past Lechia’s goalkeeper, Bohdan Sarnawski, just inside the far post.

As the first half came to a close, Widzew had a chance to extend their lead even further. In the first minute of stoppage time, they were awarded a penalty after Anton Carenko fouled Jakub Sypek in the box. However, Pawłowski’s effort hit the crossbar, leaving the score at 1-0. But just seconds later, Fran Alvarez made sure the home side went into the break with a two-goal cushion. The Spanish midfielder executed a stunning free kick from just outside the penalty area, curling the ball around the wall and into the bottom corner of the net, leaving Sarnawski with no chance.

Widzew went into halftime with a comfortable 2-0 lead, and the momentum was clearly in their favor. The home crowd, which numbered 17,528, erupted in cheers, celebrating their team’s performance. The second half, however, saw a more cautious approach from both teams, with Widzew looking to maintain their lead while Lechia sought a way back into the game.

In the 56th minute, Widzew nearly made it 3-0 when Lubomir Tupta found himself one-on-one with Sarnawski. Unfortunately for the home side, he hesitated too long, allowing the goalkeeper to close down the angle, and his shot eventually went wide. Lechia, desperate to get on the scoresheet, had their best chance in the 72nd minute when Bohdan Wjunnyk received a clever pass from Elias Olsson. Wjunnyk’s shot was well struck, but Widzew’s goalkeeper, Rafał Gikiewicz, made a fantastic diving save to maintain his clean sheet, which now stretched to 352 minutes without conceding a goal.

The match saw its fair share of physical play, resulting in several yellow cards. Widzew’s Marek Hanousek and Mateusz Żyro were cautioned, as were Lechia’s Anton Carenko and Bujar Pllana. The intensity of the game increased as both teams battled for control, but Widzew’s defense held firm, thwarting any attempts from Lechia to mount a comeback.

As the match neared its conclusion, the referee added eight minutes of stoppage time. During this period, the game was temporarily halted due to excessive smoke from flares lit by the fans, necessitating a brief break for both teams to retreat to their benches. Once the situation was cleared, the game resumed, but Widzew continued to dominate possession and create chances.

Ultimately, the final whistle blew, confirming Widzew Łódź's 2-0 victory over Lechia Gdańsk. This win not only marked a successful home debut for coach Zeljko Sopić but also propelled Widzew to 9th place in the league standings with 36 points. They will look to continue their winning streak in their next match against Korona Kielce on April 11, 2025, although they will have to do so without Hanousek and Żyro, who will be suspended due to yellow card accumulation.

Widzew’s performance was a testament to their growing confidence and tactical discipline, and as the fans celebrated their team’s success, the atmosphere was electric, filled with hope for the remaining matches of the season. With three wins in a row and a solid defensive display, Widzew is certainly a team to watch as they aim to climb higher in the PKO BP Ekstraklasa standings.