Euro 2020 Match 24: Irish Win Against Poland Keeps Round of 16 Hopes Alive

The following article provides an oversight for matches and tournaments taking place in 2020.

Euro 2020 Match 24: Ireland v Poland

Irish Win Against Poland Keeps Round of 16 Hopes Alive

June 22, 2020

Ireland 2 Poland 0

 

Ireland and Poland both needed a win after losing their opening matches, only for Ireland to give their Round of 16 a real boost with a two-goal victory.

 

Poland attacked early and should have had the opener when Robert Lewandowski headed for goal; his header missed the mark, much to the angst of Jan Bednarak, who had crossed the ball to him.

 

Bednarak looked dangerous down the left wing as he also crossed to Piotr Zieliński, whose shot needed two defenders to block him.

 

The match soon became a tight tussle in midfield, where tackles kept turning the ball over as neither side gained a grasp on the match. Then, as halftime approached, sloppy Polish defence gave the chance to Ireland to score, and James Collins made no mistake.

 

After the break, both sides switched tactics around, though the more deliberate play at keeping the ball did not result in a shot until the hour mark. David McGoldrick nearly scored for the Irish as he pounced on a ball and outran the defenders. He took a shot, only for goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny to make the necessary save.

 

Poland countered down the right wing and nearly scored, with Przemysław Frankowski almost heading home the equaliser.

 

Down the Irish end, Jeff Hendrick nearly set up James McClean for their second, only for Szczęsny to parry the ball away.

 

Late in the match, Ireland worked to the corners, and therefore earned a free kick, which found the head of substitute Robbie Brady. Szczęsny, again, produced a choice save.

 

Poland’s last effort needed a save by Darren Randolph as Frankowski looked set to score. The goalkeeper managed to close the shot and give the Irish bench a sigh of relief.

 

Instead, Ireland caught Poland on the counter and eventually got the through ball to substitute Alan Judge, who made no mistake bypassing a dejected Szczęsny.

 

Ireland won their first three points, setting up the possibility of reaching the Round of 16.

 

	Group E	Pl	W	D	L	Pts	GD
1	Spain	2	2	0	0	6	+3
2	Sweden	2	1	0	1	3	-1
3	Ireland	2	1	0	1	3	+1
4	Poland	2	0	0	2	0	-3

 

Ireland tackle Spain next, with the Spaniards hoping to keep up momentum into the Round of 16. Poland takes on Sweden and must win by a large margin. However, should Sweden and Ireland produce the same result, Sweden will progress based on a better head-to-head ratio, with Sweden winning in that first game. Should all three teams end up on three points, whoever has the better goal difference will progress. Will Ireland and Poland be competitive in these matches, considering the less time they have to prepare?