Rennes midfielder Sebastian Szymanski supplied a decisive pass as Poland ended a five-match winless run in ruthless fashion, crushing Romania 6-0 in Nations League B on Friday night.
The move
Szymanski set up Poland’s fifth goal, scored by Jan Bednarek in the 66th minute, during a one-sided evening that swung sharply after Romania defender Radu Dragusin was sent off in the 22nd minute.
Robert Lewandowski then led the rout with a hat-trick. The Chicago forward converted a penalty two minutes after Dragusin’s dismissal, struck again shortly after half-time in the 47th minute and completed his three-goal night in the 86th.
It was Poland’s first victory in six matches, achieved with an attacking freedom Romania could not contain once reduced to 10 men.
The French season around it
For Rennes, Szymanski’s contribution was the French connection in an emphatic Polish win: an assist for Bednarek that underlined his role in a side finally back on the winning trail.
Elsewhere in Nations League B, Sweden missed the chance to make it three victories from three after being held 1-1 in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Viktor Gyokeres put Sweden ahead in the 61st minute, but Bosnia and Herzegovina’s young prospect Kerim Alajbegovic levelled with 10 minutes remaining.
Hungary beat Georgia 1-0 through Milos Kerkez’s 35th-minute goal, while Northern Ireland swept aside Ukraine 3-0. Ciaron Brown scored twice, finding the net in the ninth and 61st minutes.
