Football

Cristiano Ronaldo's brace propelled Portugal to a resounding 5-1 victory over Poland in the UEFA Nations League on Friday, securing their place in the quarter-finals.Portugal dominated the second half, scoring four goals in the final 20 minutes. Rafael Leao opened the scoring with a powerful header, followed by a penalty from Ronaldo. Bruno Fernandes and Pedro Neto added to the tally, while Ronaldo completed his brace with an acrobatic volley.Poland had the better chances in the first half but failed to capitalize. Dominik Marczuk's brilliant save denied Ronaldo from close range, and the hosts made them pay dearly.Roberto Martinez's Portugal wrapped up the top spot in Group A1 with a game to spare, joining France, Germany, and Italy in the last eight. Poland, meanwhile, were relegated and will face a relegation playoff if they lose to Scotland next week.In the other Group A1 match, Scotland boosted their hopes of avoiding relegation with a late winner from John McGinn. Croatia, who needed a point to qualify with Portugal, were left disappointed as McGinn struck in the 86th minute.Meanwhile, European champions Spain remained unbeaten in Group A4 with a 2-1 win over Denmark in Copenhagen. Ayoze Perez and Mikel Oyarzabal scored for Spain, while Gustav Isaksen pulled one back for Denmark.In Group C2, Romania's match against Kosovo was abandoned in injury time due to chants of "Serbia" from the home fans. The game was goalless at the time of abandonment.In League D, San Marino kept their hopes of promotion alive with a 1-1 draw against Gibraltar thanks to Nicola Nanni's injury-time penalty.

Poland vs Austria: Lewandowski's Return Boosts Poland's Euro 2024 HopesPoland will be hoping to reignite their Euro 2024 campaign when they face Austria in a crucial Group D clash on Friday, June 21. Both teams suffered narrow defeats in their opening matches, leaving them in need of a positive result to keep their qualification hopes alive.Poland's hopes have been boosted by the potential return of star striker Robert Lewandowski, who missed the opening game against the Netherlands due to a shoulder injury. Lewandowski's presence would provide a significant attacking threat for Poland, who struggled to create chances in his absence.Austria, meanwhile, will be confident of causing an upset after holding world champions France for large parts of their opening game. However, they will need to be more clinical in front of goal, having failed to convert several promising opportunities against France.The match will be played at the Olympiastadion in Berlin, with kick-off scheduled for 9:30 PM IST. It will be telecast live on the Sony Sports Network and streamed live on the SonyLiv app and website.Key Details:* Date: Friday, June 21 (IST)* Venue: Olympiastadion, Berlin* Kick-off: 9:30 PM IST* TV Channels: Sony Sports Network* Live Streaming: SonyLiv app and website

Substitute Wout Weghorst emerged as the hero for the Netherlands, snatching a dramatic late winner to secure a 2-1 victory over Poland in their opening Euro 2024 clash on June 16.The Burnley striker, who made a name for himself at the 2022 World Cup, once again proved his mettle on the big stage. Despite Poland's valiant efforts, led by injured striker Robert Lewandowski's replacement Adam Buksa, Weghorst's clinical finish in the 83rd minute sealed the victory for the Oranje.The Netherlands, clad in their vibrant orange, dominated the early proceedings in Hamburg. Their dynamic trio of forwards, Cody Gakpo, Memphis Depay, and Xavi Simons, kept the Polish defense on their toes. Gakpo opened the scoring for the Dutch with a deflected effort, but Buksa's header gave Poland a glimmer of hope.As the game progressed, Poland grew in confidence and began to threaten the Netherlands' goal. However, the Dutch defense, anchored by Virgil van Dijk, held firm. With the match seemingly destined for a draw, Weghorst intervened.Nathan Ake's low cross found Weghorst in the box, and the Burnley man made no mistake, slotting the ball home with precision. The goal sent the Dutch fans into raptures and left Poland heartbroken.The victory gives the Netherlands a crucial three points in Group A. They will face tournament favorites France on Friday, while Poland will hope to have Lewandowski fit for their clash against Austria.

As the countdown to Euro 2024 intensifies, the excitement is palpable. Germany will host the tournament from June 14, and the stage is set for some thrilling football action. Let's delve into the analysis of Groups D to F:Group D:France, the reigning world champions, are the clear favorites to top Group D. Led by the formidable Kylian Mbappé and Karim Benzema, Les Bleus boast an array of world-class talent. However, they will face stiff competition from the Netherlands, who have emerged as a resurgent force under Louis van Gaal. Poland, with Robert Lewandowski leading the line, and Austria, revitalized under Ralf Rangnick, will also be looking to make their mark.Group E:Belgium, the world's top-ranked team, will be the team to beat in Group E. Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku will be the driving forces behind their campaign. Ukraine, Slovakia, and Romania complete the group, with all three nations harboring hopes of advancing to the knockout stage.Group F:Portugal, led by the legendary Cristiano Ronaldo, will be the favorites to progress from Group F. However, they will face a stern test from Czechia, who have consistently impressed at recent Euros. Turkey, under the guidance of Vincenzo Montella, and Georgia, making their major tournament debut, will be the underdogs in this group.

Poland's Euro 2024 preparations have been marred by injuries, with talismanic striker Robert Lewandowski and strike partner Karol Swiderski both forced off in their final warm-up match against Turkey.Lewandowski, who has scored 82 goals in 149 appearances for his country, limped off after just 32 minutes with an unspecified injury. Swiderski had already left the field after hurting his right ankle while celebrating his goal that gave Poland an early lead.The injuries add to Poland's woes, as they have already lost Juventus striker Arkadiusz Milik to a knee injury. Milik underwent surgery on Monday and is expected to miss the tournament.Poland, who kick off their Euro campaign against the Netherlands on June 16, are now facing a striker crisis. Lewandowski, who is 35, would have been appearing in his fourth European Championship.Turkey, who are in Group F, also suffered an injury blow as defender Merih Demiral was forced off with a hamstring problem.Despite the injuries, Poland managed to secure a 2-1 victory over Turkey in Warsaw. Nicola Zalewski scored the winning goal in added time after Baris Yilmaz had leveled for Turkey in the 77th minute.Poland will be hoping that Lewandowski and Swiderski can recover in time for the tournament, but their absence would be a major blow to their chances of success.

Robert Lewandowski, the prolific Polish striker, is eagerly anticipating a sentimental return to Germany for Euro 2024. Having spent a significant portion of his illustrious career in the Bundesliga, Lewandowski left an indelible mark on German football.During his stints at Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich, Lewandowski amassed an astonishing 312 goals in 384 Bundesliga appearances, becoming the competition's second-highest scorer behind Gerd Mueller. He also holds the record for the most Bundesliga top scorer awards, sharing the honor with Mueller with seven accolades."It's already sentimental for me, a return to the country where I spent many years, where I lived, and where I played in these stadiums," Lewandowski expressed to Polish TV channel TVN. He emphasized his positive outlook and appreciation for his current position in life and career.However, Poland faces a daunting task in Germany after narrowly securing their Euro spot through a penalty shootout victory over Wales in the play-offs. The team has also grappled with leadership challenges, having cycled through five coaches in the past three years.Despite the setbacks, Poland's current manager, Michal Probierz, remains optimistic about their chances. "We don't want to just go there on tour. We want to play a very good tournament, get out of the group, and fight for something more," he declared.Poland has been drawn into a challenging Group D, facing the Netherlands, Austria, and France. It will be their fifth consecutive appearance at the continental tournament, having reached the quarter-finals in 2016.Lewandowski, who has played in the last three Euros, is hoping for a different outcome this time around. "I have changed my approach to these big tournaments a bit, because I'm aware of the high expectations and that there will be pressure," he said.He praised the team's positive atmosphere and chemistry, stating, "I can definitely say that there is an atmosphere, there is chemistry, we seem to be aware of it, what we are preparing for and what a great tournament lies ahead of us."Lewandowski's inner peace stems from the team's strong work ethic and dedication in training. "The training really looks nice, and the way the boys approach training, there is nothing to complain about," he remarked.

Ukraine, Georgia, and Poland have secured their spots in the 24-nation Euro 2024 lineup after thrilling qualifying playoffs.Ukraine's Triumphant ComebackUkraine, representing a war-torn nation, displayed resilience and determination in their 2-1 victory over Iceland. Mykhailo Mudryk's sweeping goal in the 84th minute sealed the win, echoing their late comeback in the previous playoff against Bosnia-Herzegovina. Ukraine's "home" game was played in neutral Poland due to security concerns in Kyiv.Georgia's Historic DebutGeorgia made history by qualifying for their first major tournament. They defeated Greece 4-2 in a penalty shootout after a tense 0-0 draw. Star forward Khvicha Kvaratskhelia led the charge, while goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili saved two Greek spot-kicks. Georgia will face Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal, Turkey, and the Czech Republic in Group F.Poland's Ticket to GermanyPoland became the last team to book their ticket to Germany, edging out Wales 5-4 in a penalty shootout after a 0-0 draw. Captain Robert Lewandowski, who scored the first penalty, watched anxiously as Wojciech Szczesny denied Dan James' final attempt. Poland will face France, the Netherlands, and Austria in Group D.Eastern European FlavorThe Euro 2024 lineup now boasts a stronger eastern European presence. Ukraine, Georgia, and Poland join Russia, who were banned from qualifying due to the ongoing military invasion. This reflects the growing competitiveness of football in the region.Tournament DetailsEuro 2024 will be played in 10 German cities from June 14 to July 14. Ukraine will face Romania, Slovakia, and Belgium in Group F. Georgia will play Portugal, Turkey, and the Czech Republic in Group F. Poland will face France, the Netherlands, and Austria in Group D.

Wales' Euro 2024 hopes were dashed in heartbreaking fashion as Poland edged them out 5-4 on penalties in Cardiff. After a tense 0-0 draw, Leeds winger Dan James was the only player to miss in the shootout, sending Poland to Germany this summer.Despite the presence of Barcelona star Robert Lewandowski, Poland failed to register a single shot on target in 120 minutes. However, they found their range from the spot, with Lewandowski, Sebastian Szymanski, Przemyslaw Frankowski, Nicola Zalewski, and Krzysztof Piatek all converting confidently.Wales, missing the talismanic Gareth Bale, created a good game but lacked the creative spark to break down a resolute Polish defense. Kieffer Moore provided a physical presence up front, but his header was spectacularly saved by Wojciech Szczesny.The home side finished the 90 minutes in the ascendency but could not find the breakthrough. In extra time, Poland came closest to winning the game, but Jakub Piotrowski's effort flew inches past the far post.Wales saw out the final few seconds with 10 men after Chris Mepham was shown a second yellow card. But their first experience of penalties was a sour one, with James' miss proving costly."It's a cruel game," said Wales boss Rob Page. "We'll be bigger and stronger for having gone through this horrible experience. This group is going somewhere. There is a lot more to come, there are good times ahead."Poland coach Michal Probierz praised his team's performance: "We created a good, emotional game. This is a very important day for us."