Robert Lewandowski’s brace was not enough to keep Poland in Euro 2020 as Victor Claesson’s late winner for Sweden ended any dream of a revival.
Poland starting the game knowing they had to win and their task was made all the more difficult after just 82 seconds. Alexander Isak stumbled on the edge of the box but Emile Forsberg picked up the loose ball and fired a fine low shot across goal and into the far corner to give Sweden the dream start.
It took Poland a long while to respond and get going but they should have been level when Lewandowski, off all people, headed against the bar before heading the rebound straight back onto the bar again.
Poland picked up the pace in search of an equaliser with Piotr Zielinski testing Robin Olsen from range either side of half time.
Those in red were pushing but couldn’t find a way through and were dealt a sucker punch when Forsberg doubled his tally and Sweden’s lead when he bent a fine first time effort into the bottom right hand corner.
Poland responded quickly through their leader Lewandowski as he cut inside off a fine ball from Zielinski and bent the ball into the far corner.
In need of another two goals, Poland had one ruled out for offside before Lewandowski struck again, the Bayern Munich man slipping away from the Swedish back line and controlling in space before slotting past Olsen.
Another goal would have sent Poland through but it had been left too late and for all their fight finished bottom of the group after Sweden broke up the other end and ensured they finished top of the group through a smart finish from Claesson.
