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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.

Gareth Southgate tells England not to ‘drift’ against Poland

More from the England manager who says a victory tonight will be a ‘positive step’ towards the World Cup.

Southgate’s side can all but qualify if they pick up all three points against Poland. They’ll eight points clear of the Poles with just four qualifiers remaining.

Gareth Southgate tells England not to ‘drift’ against Poland

The Three Lions have claimed back-to-back 4-0 wins so far this month.

Michael Jones8 September 2021 18:40

Southgate on England’s form

England are back in winning ways after losing the Euro 2020 final to Italy in a penalty shootout. Gareth Southgate’s side have stepped up during this international break winning both their World Cup qualifiers, against Hungary and Andorra, 4-0.

Despite the Three Lions’ good form Southgate is advising his players not to get too complacent as their toughest test comes this evening against Poland.

“We are in a good moment and the team is playing well,” said Southgate.

“We have a squad of players, any of whom are more than comfortable to play and are playing well.

“But also those moments are dangerous because, if we get any sense of complacency, we are going into a game that will be a challenge.

“It is a high level of motivation but also guarding against a feeling we are better than we are. We are getting a good set of results because we are working hard for each other.”

Michael Jones8 September 2021 18:38

Poland vs England LIVE: Line-ups

England XI: Pickford, Walker, Stones, Maguire, Shaw, Phillips, Rice, Sterling, Mount, Grealish, Kane.

Subs: Johnstone, James, Saka, Bamford, Lingard, Henderson, Alexander-Arnold, Coady, Trippier, Bellingham, Pope.

Poland XI: Szczesny, Dawidowicz, Glik, Bednarek, Puchacz, Jozwiak, Linetty, Krychowiak, Moder, Buksa, Lewandowski.

Subs: Slisz, Piatkowski, Swiderski, Zalewski, Dragowski, Frankowski, Damian Szymanski, Kaminski, Kedziora, Rybus, Skorupski, Helik.

Alex Pattle8 September 2021 18:35

Poland vs England LIVE

England are taking on Poland tonight in Warsaw in what is a crunch match at the top of Group I in World Cup qualifying. Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2020 finalists are currently top of the group with the maximum 15 points from five games, while Poland sit second with 10 points, as they battle for the one automatic qualifying spot to reach Qatar next year.

England won 2-1 when they met at Wembley back in March, thanks to Harry Maguire’s late winner. But this promises to be a different encounter away from home and with Robert Lewandowski – injured six months ago – restored to the Polish line-up as captain and goalscoring talisman.

England are ringing the changes after a 4-0 win over Andorra, with a line-up closely resembling the team which progressed to the final at the Euros set to take to the field once more, with Harry Kane captaining the side and leading the line.

Alex Pattle8 September 2021 18:28

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