Match report

Poland Secures Crucial 2-1 Victory Over Albania in World Cup Qualification

Poland
Poland
2–1
FT
Albania
Albania
Mar 26, 2026

Poland secured a vital 2-1 victory over Albania in their World Cup Qualification match, with Robert Lewandowski and Piotr Zielinski scoring for the hosts. A. Hoxha gave Albania the early lead, but Poland fought back to take all three points in a hard-fought encounter.

Key Facts

  • • Final Score: Poland 2–1 Albania
  • • A. Hoxha scored for Albania in the 42nd minute
  • • Robert Lewandowski equalized for Poland in the 63rd minute
  • • Piotr Zielinski scored the winning goal for Poland in the 73rd minute
  • • Lewandowski and K. Swiderski received yellow cards for Poland
  • • Mario Mitaj, E. Hysaj, and Kristjan Asllani were booked for Albania

Lineups

Poland

Formation: 3-4-3

Starting XI

  • 1 K. Grabara (G)
  • 4 T. Kedziora (D)
  • 5 J. Bednarek (D)
  • 14 J. Kiwior (D)
  • 2 M. Cash (M)
  • 20 S. Szymanski (M)
  • 10 P. Zielinski (M)
  • 19 M. Skoras (M)
  • 17 F. Rozga
  • 9 R. Lewandowski (F)
  • 13 J. Kaminski (F)

Substitutes

  • 12 M. Kochalski
  • 22 B. Dragowski
  • 11 K. Grosicki
  • 18 B. Bereszynski
  • 23 K. Piatek
  • 7 K. Swiderski
  • 8 J. Moder
  • 3 P. Wisniewski
  • 16 J. Ziolkowski
  • 6 B. Slisz
  • 15 A. Pyrka
  • 21 O. Pietuszewski

Albania

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Starting XI

  • 1 T. Strakosha (G)
  • 4 E. Hysaj (D)
  • 5 A. Ajeti (D)
  • 6 B. Djimsiti (D)
  • 3 M. Mitaj (D)
  • 16 J. Shehu (M)
  • 8 K. Asllani (M)
  • 11 M. Uzuni (M)
  • 14 Q. Laci (M)
  • 21 A. Hoxha (M)
  • 10 N. Bajrami (F)

Substitutes

  • 12 E. Kastrati
  • 23 M. Dajsinani
  • 13 N. Aliji
  • 18 A. Ismajli
  • 20 Y. Ramadani
  • 22 A. Broja
  • 19 S. Pilios
  • 7 A. Pajaziti
  • 9 A. Mehmeti
  • 15 B. Pllana
  • 2 I. Balliu
  • 17 E. Muci

Timeline

  1. Albania
    18' Albania subst · Substitution 1
    Off: Arlind Ajeti · On: Ardian Ismajli
  2. Albania
    34' Albania Card · Yellow Card
    Mario Mitaj

    Foul

  3. Albania
    42' Albania Goal · Normal Goal
    A. Hoxha
  4. Poland
    46' Poland subst · Substitution 1
    Off: F. Rozga · On: O. Pietuszewski
  5. Poland
    62' Poland subst · Substitution 2
    Off: Tomasz Kędziora · On: K. Swiderski
  6. Poland
    63' Poland Goal · Normal Goal
    R. Lewandowski · Assist: S. Szymanski
  7. Albania
    68' Albania subst · Substitution 2
    Off: N. Bajrami · On: A. Broja
  8. Albania
    68' Albania subst · Substitution 3
    Off: A. Hoxha · On: S. Pilios
  9. Poland
    73' Poland Goal · Normal Goal
    P. Zielinski · Assist: S. Szymanski
  10. Albania
    79' Albania Card · Yellow Card
    E. Hysaj

    Foul

  11. Poland
    81' Poland subst · Substitution 3
    Off: P. Zielinski · On: J. Moder
  12. Albania
    82' Albania subst · Substitution 4
    Off: Qazim Laci · On: E. Muçi
  13. Poland
    87' Poland Card · Yellow Card
    R. Lewandowski

    Time wasting

  14. Albania
    88' Albania Card · Yellow Card
    Kristjan Asllani

    Foul

  15. Poland
    90'+1 Poland subst · Substitution 5
    Off: J. Kaminski · On: A. Pyrka
  16. Poland
    90'+2 Poland subst · Substitution 4
    Off: R. Lewandowski · On: B. Slisz
  17. Poland
    90'+4 Poland Card · Yellow Card
    K. Swiderski

    Argument

Match Stats

Stat Poland Albania
Fouls 20 12
Pass Accuracy 88% 82%
Offsides 2 0
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 15 8
Corners 6 2
Total Passes 470 492
Yellow Cards 2 3
Blocked Shots 4 4
Shots on Target 4 2
xG — —
Shots off Target 7 2
Possession 50% 50%
Goals Prevented — —
Accurate Passes 413 405
Shots Inside Box 6 6
Saves 1 1
Shots Outside Box 9 2

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ Poland's equalizing goal by Robert Lewandowski in the 63rd minute shifted the momentum back in their favor, following A. Hoxha's early lead for Albania
  • ▸ Piotr Zielinski's goal in the 73rd minute was crucial in securing Poland's victory and solidified their position in the qualification race