Poland’s Euro 2020 campaign got off to a disastrous start as they were beaten 2-1 by Slovakia in Monday’s Group E clash.
Inter Milan defender Milan Skriniar earned his side a famous victory with a 69th-minute winner after Poland had been reduced to ten men as midfielder Grzegorz Krychowiak was sent off.
With tough games against Sweden and Spain - who meet in Seville on Monday evening - to come, this was seen as the ideal chance for Poland to get three points on the board but instead they are left with serious work to do to reach the knockout stages.
Robert Mak’s terrific solo run brought about the opening goal for Slovakia, the midfielder weaving between two defenders and then squeezing a shot in at the near-post. The goal was subsequently credited as an own goal by former Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech SzczÄsny, with the ball striking the post before going in off his arm.
Karol Linetty equalised for the Poles only 30 seconds into the second-half and at that point they would have been favourites to go on and win the game, until Krychowiak was shown a second yellow card for a late challenge.
Skriniar thrashed home to restore the lead and though Poland pushed for a leveller late on, they were unable to find a way through, with star man Robert Lewandowski largely starved of service.
