Poland beats Czech Republic 2-1

Updated: October 11, 2008, 4:05 PM EST 1 comment

The victory keeps Poland at the top of Group 3 with seven points from three matches. The Czech Republic has one point after two games.

Poland dictated the tempo in the first 45 minutes against a sluggish Czech side clearly missing playmaker Tomas Rosicky, who is sidelined with a long-term knee injury.

Defender Jakub Wawrzyniak should have scored first for Poland in the 18th when he ran onto a lob into the box from Brazilian-born midfielder Roger Guerreiro. Wawrzyniak neatly chested the ball down but sent his volley from 12 meters (yards) over the crossbar.

Brozek made it 1-0 in the 27th after an excellent individual effort from Blaszczykowski.

The Borussia Dortmund midfielder spun through three Czech defenders and dropped the ball to Brozek, who hit a low right-footed drive from the top of the area past Czech Republic goalkeeper Petr Cech.

Blaszczykowski than scored one of his own in the 53rd when he latched on to a through ball from Roger on the right, then raced into the box and chipped over the charging Cech.

Without Rosicky directing play in the midfield, the Czech Republic struggled to create any sustained threat on the Polish goal until the final 15 minutes.

UEFA WC Qualifying

Photos

• UEFA WCQ Action, Oct. 15
• UEFA WCQ Action, Oct. 11

Top Stories

• France ace Trez in retirement U-turn?
• Ballack wanted to 'shake things up'
• Gallas reveals Les Bleus tensions
• Germans agree on bonus payments
• Czech 'keeper Cech to miss qualifier
• Capello gives hope to Owen, Becks

UEFA WCQ Pages

• Front | Fixtures | Standings | On FSC

The Czech's only solid chance early came in the 21st when striker Milan Baros sprinted up field on a counter attack, only to have Poland goalkeeper Artur Boruc block the striker's shot from 10 meters with his legs.

Pushing forward in the closing minutes, Czech Republic defender David Rozehnal nearly scored in the 82nd after a scramble in the box but his shot from seven meters (yards) sailed over the bar.

Substitute Martin Fenin finally pulled one back for the Czechs in the 87th, heading in a cross from Vaclav Serkos.

Lineups:

Poland: Artur Boruc, Marcin Wasilewski, Michal Zewlakow, Dariusz Dudka, Jakub Wawrzyniak (Jacek Krzynowek, 43), Jakub Blaszczykowski, Mariusz Lewandowski, Rafal Murawski (Tomasz Jodlowiec, 90), Euzebiusz Smolarek, Roger Guerreiro, Pawel Brozek (Robert Lewandowski, 69).

Czech Republic: Petr Cech, Zdenek Grygera (Libor Sionko, 58), David Rozehnal, Tomas Ujfalusi, Marek Jankulovski, Zdenek Pospech, Radoslav Kovac, Jaroslav Plasil, Radek Sirl, Milan Baros (Martin Fenin, 80), Miroslav Slepicka (Vaclav Sverkos, 58).