Jakub Blaszczykowski’s moment of magic sees Poland past Ukraine

Ukraine 0 Poland 1

It speaks volumes for the improvement of Poland's national team that they could qualify for the Euro 16 knock-out rounds, unbeaten, with a points total that is superior to some group winners – and do all of that without Robert Lewandowski having a shot on target.

On France's national day of music, Lewandowski hit a couple of bum notes with the chances that fell his way. Poland, though, are a more rounded team these days, and have enjoyed bright moments in all of their group games. They were able to bask in a technically accomplished matchwinner provided by substitute Jakub Blaszczykowski, who turned the game with a touch of class. Poland were not at their best, and Ukraine can rue a string of opportunities untaken. They go home, without a point.

Poland canter on. They next face Switzerland in the round of 16 in Saint-Étienne on Saturday. After finishing Group C with a very similar record to Germany – Poland were runners-up because they scored one goal less over the three games – they have every reason to approach that game positively. A goal for you-know-who might have helped but perhaps it does Poland no harm to feel there is something extra to add to their performances.

One of the plus points for Poland recently has been the decision to lend Lewandowski a hand by giving him a strike partner in Arkadiusz Milik. The combination looked a worry for Ukraine in the opening exchanges as both were set free on goal. First Milik burst down the left and drove a shot at Andriy Pyatov. The Ajax striker then teed up Lewandowski, who was clean through. With the exuberant Polish crowd whooping in anticipation of a goal at last for their main man, the Bayern Munich marksman managed to skew the chance wide. Might the pitch – rutted during an AC/DC concert – have played a part? It seemed an extraordinary scuff from such a promising position.

If that hinted at Polish dominance, Ukraine had other ideas and soon began to exert the upper hand. Their determination to leave a good impression was striking, and they passed and pressed neatly enough to force a handful of presentable first-half chances. The team had been shocked by their struggles in the group, and were clearly fired up to improve. “There are games you play for the result and there are those you play for honour,” noted the midfielder Ruslan Rotan.

Ukraine's impulse to attack put the pressure on Poland, who needed a double intervention from Michal Pazdan after Olexandr Zinchenko's delightful pass carved through the Polish defence. Roman Zozulya was denied.

Andriy Yarmolenko was the next to glimpse a glorious chance. He bore down on Zozulya’s flicked pass into a duel with Lukasz Fabianksi but scooped his shot wide. The Dynamo Kiev man bowed his head down on to the advertising hoardings in disappointment – as if banging his head against the wall in frustration – as the chance to claim Ukraine’s first goal of the tournament swung away. Then Yevhen Konoplyanka fizzed in a low shot that skimmed the side netting. When the lively Zinchenko stretched to meet Konoplyanka’s cross and directed a header over the bar it was reasonable to wonder when Poland might wake up.

Their coach tried to add some zest by introducing the reliably energetic Blaszczykowski at half-time. It turned out to be one for the inspired substitution’s collection as the Fiorentina midfielder suddenly produced the game’s best moment of virtuoso skill. Receiving the ball in the penalty area from Milik’s clever reverse pass, he rolled the ball into space with his right foot and then arced in a beautifully struck drive with his left. A moment of sheer quality lifted the occasion.

Unshackled, Poland sprang forwards again and Bartosz Kapustka, the youngster who has had an eye-catching tournament, might have made it two only to clip his shot just wide.

The psychological blow to Ukraine was obvious. They tried to engineer a comeback but strained for ruthlessness. Konoplyanka and Zinchenko slashed at efforts too high to trouble Fabianski. Zozulya glanced a header close but not close enough. Rotan had a promising crack but Fabianski dived to repel the danger.

Ukraine’s players slumped at the final whistle. Poland almost treated the confirmation of their progress as business as usual. That also speaks volumes about a team intent on faring well.

(Guardian service)