Poland 2-2 Chile
Poland will head off to Russia much the stronger after a pulsating game against a Chile side which should really be there as well.
Without their star names, the South Americans stormed back fro a two goal deficit to claim a draw at the INEA Stadium in Poznan. And it was the least they deserved.
Poland has a great chance of progressing to the knockout stages in FIFA World Cup 2018 and they are unlikely to face a better side than Chile in their group.
It was a great game to watch with both teams scoring super goals, but now Poland heads off to World Cup 2018 in Russia while Chile has time off to contemplate just what might have been.
Highlights
This was a new look Chile team with big name stars missing. So no Alexis Sanchez and no Arturo Vidal; and the way the game started it looked like Reinaldo Rueda may have entrusted his new men a little too early as Poland stormed into a two goal lead.
The visitors certainly matched their opponents in the opening stages but as the half hour approached, Poland began to threaten. Kamil Grosicki and Karol Linetty both had attempts on goal before a double strike in four minutes put the Poles firmly in control. First, top scorer Robert Lewandowski hit a screamer into the top left hand corner on thirty minutes, and then it was two when Piotr Zielinski took a pass from the lively Grosicki, and fired low into the right hand corner for his fifth international goal.
The attacking midfielder had matched Lewandowski by scoring in back to back games, and the home crowd could be excused for thinking this may be an easy evening. This was the first meeting between these proud nations, but at eighth and ninth in the FIFA World Rankings Poland and Chile are two teams to be reckoned with; and Rueda’s team fought back straight away.
Just four minutes after going two behind Angelo Sagal crossed for Diego Valdes to head home from close range, and it was game on.
Chile gave it a real go at the start of the second half, winning five corners in the first ten minutes and the pressure paid off, on 56 minutes, when Miiko Albornoz hit a screamer into the top corner to level the scores and silence the Poznan crowd.
Poland tried to get back on the front foot and Grzegorz Krychowiak came close, firing just wide. But then, after an exhausting first hour, the action began to calm down and on 75 minutes Lewandowski was replaced by Lukasz Teodorczyk. Chile looked comfortable and appeared the more likely to score as the clock ran down, Junior Fernandez having a header blocked before Paulo Diaz headed wide from a Valdes cross.
So, 2-2 it finished in a great night of football for the Polish crowd, with much to be pleased about for both coaches. Will this impact on Poland’s World Cup 2018 odds? Well I don’t think it will do any harm. Shipping a two goal lead isn’t impressive, but then Chile is the ninth best team in the world.
Key Statistics
This was an excellent test of Poland’s attributes before they head to Russia, but failing to win makes it one victory in five, but I don’t think that will worry Adam Nawalka too much.
What may concern him a little more is that his side conceded 52 per cent possession, at home, and lost the shot count by 16 to 12. But I think that’s more testament to Rueda’s team’s endeavour and skill. They certainly put themselves about, conceding 18 fouls to Poland’s seven and picking up the only two yellow cards in the game, and showed they have more than just Sanchez and Vidal in their armoury.
If we’re looking for World Cup 2018 betting tips then I believe Poland is still good for, at least, at last 16 place… but it’s a shame Chile won’t be there.
What’s next?
So Group H awaits Poland in Russia, and it’s a league Adam Nawalka will expect to get out of, they start with a tie against Senegal, and then face Japan and Colombia. It will be their first appearance in the World Cup since 2006, so they’ll be keen to make an impression and have a quick start. But before they take on Senegal they have one final chance to prepare, at home to Lithuania next week.
As for Rueda and his squad, well I guess they can join Sanchez and Vidal on the beach and enjoy the tournament with the rest of us!
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
