Robert Lewandowski hobbled off the pitch with an injury during Poland’s final tune-up for Euro 2024, securing a 2-1 victory against Turkiye on Monday.
The stellar forward, Lewandowski, tops Poland’s charts with 150 caps and 82 goals. He exited the match at the 32-minute mark, later seen getting attention for his right thigh.
Karol Swiderski, another striker, retreated to the sidelines after a celebration mishap left him with a painful right ankle. The goal had given Poland an early lead.
The Polish squad is dwindling, as Arkadiusz Milik of Juventus was also sidelined. He damaged his left knee’s meniscus during a 3-1 triumph over Ukraine last Friday.
Turkiye’s Baris Alper Yilmaz leveled the score with only 14 minutes remaining. Yet, Nicola Zalewski of Roma pirouetted past Turkiye’s defense to net Poland’s clincher in the final moments.
Meanwhile, Czechia concluded their pre-tournament activities with their own 2-1 nail-biter over North Macedonia.
Czechia gained the lead when Patrick Schick converted a penalty one hour into the game. Isnik Alimi quickly responded with an equalizer by heading the ball into the net.
Czechia savored a victorious farewell as Antonin Barak buried a penalty deep into stoppage time for the win.
Czechia’s Group F endeavors start against Portugal on June 18. Matches against Georgia and Turkiye will follow.
