Match report

Poland Secures Narrow Victory Over Malta in World Cup Qualification

Malta
Malta
2–3
FT
Poland
Poland
Nov 17, 2025

In a tightly contested World Cup Qualification match, Poland narrowly secured a 3-2 victory over Malta. Despite Malta's spirited performance, Poland's goals from Lewandowski, Wszolek, and Zielinski ensured their advancement. Malta's Cardona and Teuma scored crucial goals, but Poland's resilience prevailed.

Key Facts

  • • Malta vs Poland: 2-3
  • • R. Lewandowski scored the opening goal for Poland at 32'
  • • I. Cardona equalized for Malta at 36'
  • • T. Teuma scored a penalty for Malta at 68'
  • • P. Zielinski sealed the win for Poland at 85'

Lineups

Malta

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Starting XI

  • 1 H. Bonello (G)
  • 22 Z. Muscat (D)
  • 5 K. Shaw (D)
  • 4 G. Mentz (D)
  • 3 R. Camenzuli (D)
  • 6 M. Guillaumier (M)
  • 23 A. Satariano
  • 7 J. Mbong (M)
  • 10 T. Teuma (M)
  • 20 Y. Chouaref (M)
  • 11 I. Cardona (F)

Substitutes

  • 12 M. Debono
  • 16 R. Al Tumi
  • 2 J. Borg
  • 8 P. Mbong
  • 9 J. Grech
  • 13 E. Pepe
  • 14 A. Zammit
  • 15 M. Beerman
  • 17 A. Overend
  • 18 B. Paiber
  • 19 T. Buhagiar
  • 21 J. C. Corbalan

Poland

Formation: 3-4-2-1

Starting XI

  • 22 B. Dragowski (G)
  • 3 P. Wisniewski (D)
  • 4 T. Kedziora (D)
  • 14 J. Kiwior (D)
  • 15 P. Wszolek (M)
  • 17 B. Slisz (M)
  • 10 P. Zielinski (M)
  • 19 M. Skoras (M)
  • 13 J. Kaminski (F)
  • 21 N. Zalewski (F)
  • 9 R. Lewandowski (F)

Substitutes

  • 1 M. Kochalski
  • 12 K. Grabara
  • 2 M. Cash
  • 5 J. Ziolkowski
  • 6 K. Szczesniak
  • 7 K. Swiderski
  • 8 B. Kapustka
  • 11 K. Grosicki
  • 16 A. Buksa
  • 18 B. Bereszynski
  • 20 F. Rozga
  • 23 K. Kozlowski

Timeline

  1. Poland
    5' Poland Card · Yellow Card
    Przemysław Wiśniewski

    Foul

  2. Poland
    17' Poland Card · Yellow Card
    N. Zalewski

    Foul

  3. Poland
    32' Poland Goal · Normal Goal
    R. Lewandowski · Assist: P. Zielinski
  4. Malta
    36' Malta Goal · Normal Goal
    I. Cardona
  5. Malta
    45'+3 Malta Card · Yellow Card
    T. Teuma

    Foul

  6. Poland
    46' Poland subst · Substitution 1
    Off: N. Zalewski · On: K. Swiderski
  7. Malta
    49' Malta Card · Yellow Card
    A. Satariano

    Foul

  8. Malta
    54' Malta subst · Substitution 2
    Off: Z. Muscat · On: J. C. Corbalan
  9. Poland
    59' Poland Goal · Normal Goal
    P. Wszolek · Assist: R. Lewandowski
  10. Poland
    66' Poland Var · Goal cancelled
    K. Swiderski
  11. Malta
    68' Malta Goal · Penalty
    T. Teuma
  12. Malta
    77' Malta subst · Substitution 3
    Off: I. Cardona · On: P. Mbong
  13. Malta
    77' Malta subst · Substitution 4
    Off: T. Teuma · On: Enrico Pepe
  14. Poland
    78' Poland subst · Substitution 2
    Off: B. Slisz · On: B. Kapustka
  15. Poland
    78' Poland subst · Substitution 3
    Off: P. Wszolek · On: K. Grosicki
  16. Poland
    78' Poland subst · Substitution 4
    Off: Przemysław Wiśniewski · On: B. Bereszynski
  17. Poland
    85' Poland Goal · Normal Goal
    P. Zielinski · Assist: B. Kapustka
  18. Malta
    87' Malta subst · Substitution 5
    Off: Gabriel Mentz · On: T. Buhagiar
  19. Poland
    90'+2 Poland subst · Substitution 5
    Off: J. Kaminski · On: F. Rozga

Match Stats

Stat Malta Poland
Fouls 7 6
Pass Accuracy 81% 85%
Offsides 1 1
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 10 18
Corners 4 9
Total Passes 353 488
Yellow Cards 2 2
Blocked Shots 1 7
Shots on Target 8 4
xG 2.15 1.32
Shots off Target 1 7
Possession 42% 58%
Goals Prevented — —
Accurate Passes 285 415
Shots Inside Box 9 8
Saves 1 5
Shots Outside Box 1 10

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ Poland took the lead through Lewandowski's goal in the 32nd minute, setting the tone for the match.
  • ▸ Malta's equalizer by Cardona and Teuma's penalty at 36' and 68' respectively, kept the game on edge, but Zielinski's late goal at 85' secured Poland's victory.