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Poland vs England LIVE: World Cup qualifying result, final score and reaction tonight

Follow all the fallout from Warsaw as Poland disrupted England’s serene qualification for the 2022 World Cup with a 1-1 draw

Michael Jones
Thursday 09 September 2021 10:03 BST
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Damian Szymanski equalises for Poland against England in stoppage time of the second half
Damian Szymanski equalises for Poland against England in stoppage time of the second half (Action Images via Reuters)

England played out a 1-1 draw with Poland tonight in Warsaw in what was a crunch match at the top of Group I in World Cup qualifying. Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2020 finalists remain top of the group with 16 points from a maximum 18, while Poland moved to 11 points but dropped to third place as they ended the Three Lions’ perfect record in the battle for the one automatic qualifying spot to reach Qatar next year.

England won 2-1 when the sides met at Wembley back in March, thanks to Harry Maguire’s late winner, but it was Poland who struck late this time, Damian Szymanski heading an equaliser in stoppage time to cancel out Harry Kane’s long-range opener.

With Robert Lewandowski – injured six months ago – restored to the Polish line-up as captain, this always looked set to be a different kind of encounter, and the Bayern Munich striker in fact provided the assist for Szymanski in the final moments, as a raucous Warsaw crowd roared in celebration to cap off a feisty affair.

Follow all the fallout from the game at the National Stadium below, live.

England vs Poland: Five things we learned as Three Lions denied win after late equaliser

England were denied a win in Poland after conceding a late equaliser in Warsaw in World Cup qualifying.

Harry Kane struck a swerving effort from around 25 yards to beat goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny before substitute Damian Szymanski scored a header at the back post in the 92nd minute to end England’s 100 per cent record in qualifying.

Here are five things we learned:

Five things we learned as England denied by late Poland equaliser

Poland 1-1 England: Damian Szymanski heads in 92nd-minute equaliser as Three Lions drop first points in World Cup qualifying

Michael Jones8 September 2021 22:10

Reaction from Harry Kane

A tough one to take right at the end, I thought we handled the game well, not an easy place to come and we were seeing the game out well. Sometimes the pressure comes away from home but we are top with four games to go.

“Rebounds and second balls fell their way and the guy headed it in. That is football. Two tough away games in this camp but four points clear and we are in a good position.”

Michael Jones8 September 2021 22:07

Damian Szymanski denies England at the death as Poland salvage point

England were denied victory at the death in Poland as substitute Damian Szymanski cancelled out Harry Kane’s stunner in Wednesday’s World Cup qualifier.

Fresh from back-to-back 4-0 victories against Hungary and Andorra, the Three Lions rounded off their September triple-header by heading to Warsaw for what was always going to be their toughest Group I assignment.

Damian Szymanski denies England at the death as Poland salvage point

Harry Kane had fired the Three Lions in front.

Michael Jones8 September 2021 22:04

England and Harry Kane denied as Sebastian Szymanski’s late header earns Poland a point

England drop their first points of the campaign, as Damian Szymanski raises the roof.

A match that Poland had creditably turned into a battle ended with an explosion, the substitute scoring a stoppage-time equaliser to make it 1-1 and ensure Gareth Southgate’s side had failed to win a qualifying game for the first time since October 2019.

England denied as Sebastian Szymanski’s late header earns Poland a point

Poland 1-1 England: A late equaliser saw the points shared but the Three Lions retain control of Group I after avoiding defeat in Warsaw

Michael Jones8 September 2021 22:01

The standings

Even with that draw England remain at the top of Group I. They have a four point lead over Albania in second place with games against Andorra and San Marino to come.

Michael Jones8 September 2021 21:54

Kane scores again

Harry Kane’s goal tonight was his 41st for England. He moves above Michael Owen on the England all-time goalscorers list.

The goal was also only the second time Kane has scored outside the penalty box for England with the other one coming against Nigeria in June 2018.

(AFP via Getty Images)
Michael Jones8 September 2021 21:51

Heartbreaking for England

The equaliser came in the 92nd minute of the game.

Michael Jones8 September 2021 21:45

Poland 1 - 1 England

A bruising, testing game ends in a draw at the Narodowy Stadium as England have to settle for a point. A blinding finish from Harry Kane put England in front with 20 minutes or so to go but substitute Damian Szymanski scored his first international goal to give Poland an equaliser and keep their World Cup hopes alive.

Michael Jones8 September 2021 21:43

Full-time: Poland 1 - 1 England

90+4 mins: It’s over! The points are shared in Poland.

Michael Jones8 September 2021 21:41

GOAL! Poland 1 - 1 England (Szymanski, 90+2’)⚽️

90+2 mins: No they can’t. Poland work the ball down the left side and it comes Moder who expertly spins away from Walker to get the ball into the box. He gives it to Lewandowski who hangs the ball in the air. Szymanski rises above Shaw meets the cross and heads it into the bottom corner! Great goal!

Michael Jones8 September 2021 21:38

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