A Bittersweet Ending: #POLWIS 3:2

Tonight, Wisła Kraków faced Polonia Warszawa in the first of their two encounters, competing in the Polish Cup round of 16. The match turned into an emotional thriller, with Polonia overcoming an early 2-0 deficit to secure a dramatic 3-2 victory after extra time. This result sees Wisła Kraków eliminated from this year’s Polish Cup, ending their campaign. 

The First Half
Wisła Kraków started their Cup match with a new line-up, fielding several bench players: Chichkan, Kiakos, Sukiennicki, Duarte, Gogół, Szot, and Lasicki. The game began with both teams vying for dominance on the pitch. Wisła Kraków employed their trademark high-pressing tactics, seeking an early advantage.

Less than six minutes into the match, Patryk Gogół delivered a precise pass to Frederico Duarte, who found space inside Polonia’s penalty area and confidently struck the ball into the net. The scoreboard quickly displayed 0-1 in Wisła’s favour.

The following minutes saw Polonia grow increasingly determined to equalise. Between the 28th and 34th minutes, they created several opportunities to score but lacked precision, with shots sailing over the bar or being expertly saved by Wisła's goalkeeper.

Wisła Kraków capitalised on their lead, doubling it in the 39th minute. Frederico Duarte outpaced Polonia's defenders and unleashed a spectacular long-range strike from midfield, finding the top corner of the net. The remainder of the first half passed without notable events, and even the added time failed to produce further drama. The half concluded with Wisła leading 0-2.

The Second Half
The second half began with changes to Polonia’s line-up, while Mariusz Jop opted to keep Wisła’s starting XI unchanged. Just five minutes into the half, the team from R22 attempted to extend their lead but struggled to create clear chances in Polonia’s half.

Polonia took advantage of Wisła’s complacency. In the 56th minute, Chichkan initially saved a shot, but the ball rebounded into the path of Durmuş, who capitalised and scored Polonia’s first goal. Barely a minute later, Durmuş struck again, equalising with a well-placed effort to make it 2-2.

After losing their lead, Mariusz Jop made substitutions to revitalise Wisła's play and regain control of the match.

As the second half progressed, Polonia intensified their attacks on Wisła’s goal. Chichkan remained solid, making crucial saves to keep the score level. However, Wisła lost their high pressing and failed to create significant scoring opportunities.

The second half ended in a stalemate, with the 2-2 draw necessitating extra time to determine the match's outcome.

The Extra Time 
Polonia began extra time with an aggressive high press, creating chances within Wisła’s half, while Wisła struggled to find their rhythm. In the 95th minute, Zwoliński passed to Duarte, who then set up Rodado, but Polonia’s goalkeeper, Kuchta, made an excellent save.

Wisła had another opportunity in the 99th minute, but Duarte was poorly positioned and unable to finish the play. As the minutes ticked by, Wisła began exerting more pressure and creating opportunities in Polonia’s half. Towards the end of the first half of extra time, Wisła were awarded two free kicks and a corner. Before the corner could be taken, the referee identified a foul by Polonia and awarded Wisła a penalty. Rodado stepped up to take it, but Kuchta once again denied Wisła with a remarkable save. The subsequent corner kick also failed to break the deadlock.

In the 107th minute, Polonia took full advantage of a free kick, with Poczobut finding the back of Wisła’s net to give his team a 3-2 lead.

As the match neared its conclusion, Wisła launched a series of fierce attacks in a desperate attempt to equalise. However, Polonia’s defence remained resolute, blocking every effort. After 120 minutes of play, the match ended in Polonia’s favour, eliminating Wisła from the Polish Cup in the round of 8.

Polonia Warszawa - Wisła Kraków (0:2, 2:2) 3:2

• 0:1 Duarte 6’ 
• 0:2 Duarte 39’ 
• 1:2 Durmuş 55’ 
• 2:2 Durmuş 56’ 
• 3:2 Poczobut 109’

Polonia Warszawa: Kuchta - Olszewski, Kołodziejski, Grudniewski, Terpiłowski - Poczobut, Azumendi (90’ Wojciechowski), Bajdur (63’ Koton) - Predekiewicz (79’ Vega), Durmuş - Kobusiński (46’ Zjawiński)

Wisła Kraków: Chichkan - Szot, Łasicki, Kutwa, Kiakos (69’ Mikulec) - Duda (59’ Carbó), Igbekeme - Gogół (59’ Zwoliński), Sukiennicki (94’ Rodado), Alfaro (59’ Kiss) - Duarte 

Yellow card(s): Kołodziejski, Koton, Olszewski, Poczobut, Kuchta - Łasicki, Mikulec, Igbekeme

Referee: M. Szczerbowicz (Olsztyn)