Zielinski strikes late to see Poland prevail over Albania in World Cup play-offs

Poland had always come out on top against Albania on home soil before, and they looked to maintain that sequence right from the start. Robert Lewandowski came close early on, but his effort was deflected just past the post.

Albanias defender Elseid Hysaj then headed Jakub Kiwior's high ball away from the goal line, yet scoring opportunities soon became rare. Albanias sturdy backline kept Poland at bay, making the home side resort to long-range attempts that Matty Cash and Filip Rozga both failed to connect with properly.

The Red and Blacks from Albania have yet to reach a World Cup, though they were building momentum on the pitch. They managed to hush the packed stadium in Warsaw by going ahead just before half time. A slip by Jan Bednarek, who did not intercept a pass through the middle, gave Arber Hoxha his moment, and he cleverly went around the keeper before finishing neatly despite the awkward position.

This goal served as a sharp reminder for Poland, but they struggled to reply before the break. Lewandowskis finest effort of the half sailed narrowly beyond the upright.

Manager Jan Urban, keen on sparking a recovery, brought on 17 year old Oskar Pietuszewski for his international bow shortly after the restart.

Poland nearly levelled matters as Zielinski bent a shot from 22 yards astray, while Albania missed a chance to extend their advantage. Hysaj spearheaded a swift breakaway and supplied Nedim Bajrami, who unfortunately skied his shot from a promising spot in the heart of the box.

Such a goal might have sealed the outcome, yet it left room for Poland to fight back, which they did effectively. Thomas Strakosha struggled with a floated corner kick, enabling Lewandowski to rise above everyone at the far post and head the ball in from point blank range.

Strakosha did manage a wobbly save against Zielinskis follow up shot moments later. At the opposite end, Polands Kamil Grabara thwarted debutant Stavros Pilios, who ought to have found the net more convincingly.

Grabaras intervention turned out to be vital, since Poland seized the lead with flair on their subsequent raid. Zielinski found himself with ample room about 25 yards from goal, and he unleashed a low dipping drive that nestled into the bottom corner.

This strike completely demoralised Albania, marking their first away defeat in twelve months. Poland, who came within a whisker of a third goal when Pietuszewski missed the target, now progress to take on Sweden next Tuesday for a shot at the World Cup.