After scraping through their first World Cup qualifier with a late goal from their inspirational skipper, Poland host Group G minnows Malta on Monday.
The Eagles almost slipped up against Lithuania last time out, so they will aim to put on a more convincing display in Warsaw.
Match preview
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Having ended their latest UEFA Nations League group by losing to Scotland, costing them a place in the competition’s top tier, Poland were keen to get their World Cup 2026 qualification campaign off to a strong start on Friday.
Welcoming Lithuania to Stadion Narodowy, they had most of the ball and fired in 24 shots at goal, but it ultimately took a decisive strike from Robert Lewandowski to split the sides after 81 minutes.
En route to relegation from League A of the Nations League, the Eagles shipped 16 goals in six games, so recording a first clean sheet in 12 attempts must have come as some relief to head coach Michal Probierz.
However, he will expect a more comfortable success on Monday, as Poland build towards tougher fixtures in the autumn, following a summertime friendly with Moldova.
Finland appear to be their main rivals for a playoff spot in Group G, with either Netherlands or Spain – depending on the outcome of the teams’ Nations League quarter-final tie – set to lead the way.
As the two-time semi-finalists have qualified for four of the last six World Cups – including both of the last two – securing second place must be the current squad’s minimum objective.
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While Monday’s hosts made an unconvincing start, Malta exceeded most expectations by pushing Finland close in their opening contest.
Under new coach Emilio De Leo – a long-time assistant to the late Sinisa Mihajlovic at various Serie A clubs – the Reds put up a real fight in Ta ‘Qali, though they ultimately suffered a 1-0 defeat.
Despite scoring only twice across four Nations League fixtures last year, Malta finished second in their League D group, recording two home wins in the process.
However, the little island nation now head to Poland for the first time since 1981 – when they were thumped 6-0 in a World Cup qualifier – with a woeful away record.
Malta have lost three of their last four games on the road, conceding 13 goals, so there may be some trepidation when they walk onto the pitch in Warsaw.
Team News
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Poland coach Michal Probierz generally prefers a 3-5-2 formation, led by star man Robert Lewandowski, who could be supported by Panathinaikos striker Karol Swiderski.
After Torino defender Sebastian Walukiewicz and Inter Milan wing-back Nicola Zalewski withdrew from the squad due to injury, regular starters Pawel Dawidowicz and vice-captain Piotr Zielinski also missed out on meeting Lithuania.
Probierz recently confirmed that Bologna’s Lukasz Skorupski will be the Eagles’ first-choice goalkeeper, so Bartlomiej Dragowski and Marcin Bulka must make do with a place on the bench.
Meanwhile, Malta must make at least one change to the team that gave Finland a fright on Friday: Kurt Shaw was sent off late on, so he must now serve a suspension.
Either Enrico Pepe or former Rangers defender Myles Beerman may therefore slot into the visitors’ defence, ahead of veteran goalkeeper Henry Bonello. Reims forward Teddy Teuma will again link midfield and attack.
Poland possible starting lineup:
Skorupski; Wieteska, Bednarek, Kiwior; Cash, Urbanski, Moder, Szymanski, Frankowski; Swiderski, Lewandowski
Malta possible starting lineup:
Bonello; Pepe, Carragher, Muscat; J. Mbong, Guillaumier, Satariano, Camenzuli; Teuma, Nwoko; P. Mbong
We say: Poland 4-0 Malta
Malta may have been beaten in 21 of their last 25 qualifying matches, but their defensive record has distinctly improved over the past few months – albeit against lower-ranked nations.
Now faced by tougher opposition, they are set to come up short at Stadion Narodowy, with goal-shy Poland taking their chance to go all-out in attack.
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