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Southampton: Bednarek plays duration as Portugal beat Poland

By Chris Hughes

VOLGOGRAD, RUSSIA - JUNE 28: Jan Bednarek of Poland during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group H match between Japan and Poland at Volgograd Arena on June 28, 2018 in Volgograd, Russia. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
VOLGOGRAD, RUSSIA - JUNE 28: Jan Bednarek of Poland during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group H match between Japan and Poland at Volgograd Arena on June 28, 2018 in Volgograd, Russia. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) /
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Southampton centre-back Jan Bednarek played the full 90 minutes for his Poland side as they were defeated by Portugal 3-2.

The five-goal thriller proved a great advertisement for the new UEFA Nation’s League, with the match having a little bit more of a competitive edge as both sides fought right to the final whistle.

Bednarek hasn’t featured regularly for the Saints so far this campaign but remains a mainstay for his national side, winning his eighth cap in tonight’s defeat. Fellow Southampton man Cedric Soares watched on from the bench as an unused substitute, having fallen out of Portugal’s first-team since their round of 16 defeat at the 2018 World Cup.

The 22-year-old’s Poland side did in fact take the lead late in the first period however, as forward Krzysztof Piatek gave the home team the advantage.

BOLOGNA, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 07: Mario Balotelli of Italy and Jan Bednarek of Poland fall down during the UEFA Nations League A group three match between Italy and Poland at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on September 7, 2018 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)
BOLOGNA, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 07: Mario Balotelli of Italy and Jan Bednarek of Poland fall down during the UEFA Nations League A group three match between Italy and Poland at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on September 7, 2018 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images) /

However Portugal went on to score all three of their goals without response either side of the half-time whistle. On-form Andre Silva brought the away side level in Krakow before Kamil Glik scored an unfortunate own goal to give Portugal the lead.

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Bernardo Silva gave the 2016 European champions some breathing space by scoring his side’s third, before Jakub Blaszczykowski scored a wonderful goal with less than 15 minutes to go to give Poland a slim chance of drawing level.

Ultimately Portugal held on for the victory and will now be looking forward to playing Scotland on Sunday afternoon in a bid to make it two wins from two from the international break. Cedric could get the nod as per squad rotation and as a result could face his Southampton teammate Stuart Armstrong.

Poland meanwhile face the small task of coming up against Italy in a later kick-off this Sunday, with the Italians having suffered a disappointing draw against Ukraine on Wednesday in the first of their two games this fortnight. Bednarek will hope to get the nod again as a decent performance against Chelsea coupled with a strong international break should put in contention for the Bournemouth game on the 20th.

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