Wales 0-1 Poland: Swiderski winner sends hosts to Nations League relegation ahead of World Cup

Robert Lewandowski’s excellent assist for Karol Swiderski condemned Wales to Nations League relegation on Sunday night in Cardiff, as the hosts signed off for their trip to the World Cup with a defeat.

Wales have ended their Nations League campaign with one point from six games in a group which also contained the Netherlands and Belgium, with valuable experience given to a number of youngsters as qualification for Qatar took priority for the most part in this group.

They started their final game before the tournament without the absent midfield pair of Aaron Ramsey and Joe Allen in central midfield, but an early high press and plenty of energy set the wheels in motion. A fan in front of the press box fancied getting involved too, trying his damnedest to head the ball back onto the pitch following a block by Brennan Johnson. He actually managed it too.

The first half was perhaps shaded by Poland in terms of territory and control, but Wales saw the better opportunities. Daniel James spurned the best chance of the opening 45 after a clearance fell into his path, and when it’s James in a foot race there’s usually only one winner.

He carried the ball into the box but could only hit his attempt at Wojciech Szczesny, when perhaps rolling the ball across to Brennan Johnson was the better option.

Johnson himself nearly scored towards the end of the first half when an attempt of his trickled agonisingly wide of the post. The closest Poland came to scoring came from Welsh goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey, who nearly allowed Joe Rodon’s back pass to roll through him and over the line. He just about spared his own blushes.

Poland rolled into the lead just before the hour mark after one piece of rare quality in the match carved Wales open – unsurprisingly courtesy of Lewandowski. His one touch flick in behind played through Swiderski who slotted home.

Wales brought on Kieffer Moore and switched systems in immediate reaction, and carried more of a threat with Gareth Bale dropping into the hole in behind. Johnson was heavily involved in their attacking play from wide on the right, and again saw another attempt fall just wide. James on the opposite flank provided more of a threat for the final 25 minutes too, often beating his defender.

The hosts piled on the pressure in the closing stages and a Bale header hit the crossbar in injury time, but Wales will need to pull out better performances than this in Qatar.