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Poland and Scotland draw in pulsating Euro 2016 qualifier

PR dla Zagranicy
Peter Gentle 14.10.2014 23:12
Poland battled out a see-saw 2 – 2 draw with Scotland during a thrilling Euro 2016 Group D qualifier in Warsaw, Tuesday evening.

Poland's
Poland's Sebastian Mila and Scotland's Scott Brown during 2 - 2 thriller: photo - PAP/Bartłomiej Zborowski

Following Poland's unlikely 2 – 0 victory over Germany on Saturday, the side got off to a dream start against the Scots with a goal after 12 minutes by Krzysztof Mączyński, only to see Scotland's Shaun Maloney level in the 18th.

In front of 55,000 fans at the National Stadium providing an electric atmosphere, Steven Naismith put Scotland ahead after the break, with Arkadiusz Milik levelling the score again in the 75th minute.

Despite the White and Reds laying siege on the Scottish goal, the match finished with a point each for the two sides.

After Germany were held by Ireland 1 – 1 in Berlin and Georgia beat Gibraltar 3 – 0, Poland remain top of Group D ahead of Ireland, with Scotland third, the Germans in fourth, Georgia fifth and Gibraltar sixth.

Steven
Steven Naismit puts Scotland 2 - 1 ahead: PAP

After a quiet start, the game burst into life as the White and Reds struck early after a fine finish just outside the penalty area by Krzysztof Mączyński - one of three injury-forced changes made by coach Adam Nawalka from the miracle win over Germany - in the 12th minute.

The 3,000-strong Tartan Army in the stadium roared on their side as Scotland fought back, with Shaun Maloney finishing off a beautiful passing move six minutes later to tie the scores 1 – 1.

Despite losing on Saturday to the Poles, most still expect Germany to win Group D: so the second promotion spot will be scrapped over by the five other teams, but particularly Ireland, Scotland and Poland. So the Poles were desperate to convert home advantage.

Robert Lewandowski looked dangerous at times but it was the Scots who finished an end-to-end first half the strongest.

Poland made a bright start after the break, with repeated attacks down the right. But Scotland struck again, with a free kick in the 51st minute floated in by Morrison from the left and Steven Naismith getting the faintest of touches on the ball as it rolled past keeper Wojciech Szczęsny into Poland's net. 2 – 1.

Arkadiusz
Arkadiusz Milik (left) is congratulated by Arturem Jędrzejczyk after he levels the scores: PAP

Coach Nawalka brought on Sebastian Mila, one of the heroes of the match against Germany, in the hope the Super Sub could score again.

Mila and Lewandowski harassed the Scottish goal and then Arkadiusz Milik - the other hero of the German victory - sent the National Stadium wild when he levelled the score 2 – 2 with 15 minutes remaining.

Robert Lewandowski then went close, only denied by a fine save by Scotland's goal keeper David Marshall, as Poland scented victory.

After the match ended honours even, Scotland manager Gordon Strachan said on Sky Sport: "It was a fantastic game and a fantastic atmosphere. We're pleased with a lot of things and disappointed too.”

“We are happy with one point,” Polish coach Nawałka told the PAP news agency. “It was looking good in the last half hour but we run out of time.” (pg)

tags: Euro 2016
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