Denmark 2 Poland 3
July 12 – Having gone goalless in their opening two matches, Poland went goal hunting on Saturday night in Lucerne – a city thoroughly in football fever, where even the green crosswalk lights were replaced with mini female footballers.
Though neither Poland nor Denmark could reach the quarter-finals, there was still plenty to play for in the packed-out Swissporarena. Indeed, the words of Denmark captain Pernille Harder applied to both sides: “We still have one more game to give it everything we’ve got and finish the journey on a high.”
Ultimately it was the Polish that left Switzerland with something to smile about, defeating Denmark 3-2 in a match that carved fresh history for the nation and a growing presence in women’s football.
The opening minute gave a clue as to which attitude Poland would instigate, as Captain Ewa Pajor screamed at her fellow attackers to join her in an aggressive press.
She’s used to the clockwork off-the-ball work of FC Barcelona – a rhythm that her teammates began to pick up as the match gathered pace.
It was in the 13th minute that Polish history was written. After Ewa Pajor’s close range effort was blocked point-blank by the Danish keeper, Natalia Padilla was there to pick up the pieces and prod home for her own page in the book of football history. Even the Lucerne mountains seemed to peer inside the Swissporarena to get a piece of the action unfolding.
On paper, the result marked a meaningless win for the Poles, but try telling that to the delighted fans who were finally left with something to cheer about.
Tasting blood, Ewa Pajor doubled that lead inside 20 minutes with a well placed header into the side netting. She finally left her stamp on this tournament and proved why she’s known as one of the world’s best.
Denmark star woman Pernille Harder had seen enough, subbed off with a head injury in the 25th minute which truthfully looked a little soft from the stands.
Poland almost made it three after a mistake from the Denmark defence left Paulina Tomasiak through on goal, though her shot was sucked straight into Maja Østergaard’s gloves.
They were in fine attacking form creating chance after chance – Padilla, who was having the game of her life, came close to a second goal with an acrobatic effort minutes later.
Denmark were quickly building momentum heading into the break – a trend they continued into the second half, registering a great scoring chance after just two minutes.
A quarter of an hour later, that determination translated into a change in the scoreline. Janni Thomson’s long-range effort, which was admittedly fired straight at the keeper, was spilled into the goal regardless, narrowing the deficit to one goal with half an hour left on the clock.
Denmark only briefly completed their comeback in the 70th minute, until VAR intervened and ruled out Nadia Nadim’s equaliser for an offside in the build-up – much to the thinly-veiled disgust of the Danish supporters populating the East stand.
Something had clicked within this Poland team. A goalscoring gene had been unlocked as its third goal, netted by substitute Martyna Wiankowksa (pictured top right) in the76th minute, pinged in off the crossbar prompting an emphatic knee-slide celebration and scarf-waving delight from the Polish fans behind the goal.
They needed that extra cushion, having struggled to keep Denmark out since that VAR correction six minutes earlier.
But the Danes kept fighting. They scored again in the 82nd minute to keep themselves in the match, with both teams now playing with just their pride on the line.
It was Real Madrid striker Signe Bruun that applied the finishing touch – to the extra delight of her parents and three brothers sat six feet beneath the press box, all sporting matching ‘Bruun 20’ replica shirts.
Following that high-octane ending, including a goal-line clearance in added time, the match finished 3-2.
Ahead of the clash, Poland coach Nina Patalon spoke of the importance of a single goal. She said: “I would like us to score a goal and make history. We have a positive attitude and I repeat once again this will also be a special match. I hope it will be a good match.”
In short, it was perfect.
| Grp C | W | D | L | F | A | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sweden | 3 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 1 | 9 |
| Germany | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 6 |
| Poland | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 3 |
| Denmark | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 0 |
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1752367803labto1752367803ofdlr1752367803owedi1752367803sni@g1752367803niwe.1752367803yrrah1752367803