Inefficient Red Flames win narrowly against Poland thanks to Seynhaeve

An inefficient Red Flames team nevertheless managed to win the first World Cup qualifying match against Poland with one goal. Elena Dhondt scored just before halftime, while Tessa Wullaert missed a penalty. In the second half, goalkeeper Lowiese Seynhaeve saved a penalty, so Belgium goes into the return match with a small lead.

Match overview and context

The day's overview included, besides Football, also Cycling, Tennis, Formula 1, Basketball and Cyclo-cross, with a Programme full of Headlines. In the Jupiler Pro League and Challenger Pro League section, the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League were mentioned, and there was More football in the column. For the Red Flames, representatives of Belgium, it was just a step closer to the World Cup, with Elena Dhondt delivering the decisive blow. The word Belgi also appeared as an abbreviation in the navigation.

The only goal came in stoppage time of the first half, 45+3, when Elena Dhondt placed a sharp ball in the net. Before that strike, Tessa Wullaert missed a penalty, causing the Flames to come under pressure early on. Poland later in the second half earned a penalty of its own, but that was also missed.

Goalkeeper Lowiese Seynhaeve showed her reflexes in the 82nd minute when she denied a penalty from the Polish striker Ewa Pajor. Shortly after, in the 85th minute, the Polish goalkeeper Seweryn saved a shot from Elena Dhondt, which increased the tension. The match remained chaotic with a collision in midfield around 90+3.

Red Flames set sights on Poland for World Cup qualification

Tactical substitutions and incidents

In the 77th minute, Jarne Teulings came on as a substitute for Toloba, after which Luna Vanzeir and Jasmien Mathys later made their entrances. In the 68th minute, the Polish player Wiankowska had to leave the field due to injury, after which a substitute was brought on. Janice Cayman received a yellow card in the 90+5 minute after a foul, after which Poland were awarded a free kick.

Commentator Eddy Demarez noted that “that’s not so bad” when the Flames launched a small attacking wave around the 70th minute, but without a dangerous result. In the 57th minute, Seynhaeve saved again, this time against a shot from Ewa Pajor. The Polish defence, under the leadership of Seweryn, held firm until the final whistle.

Added time ran up to 90+5, during which Poland received a final free kick, but the ball ended without danger. The Flames kept their lead until the end, meaning they head into the return match in Poland with a small advantage.

Red Flames cling to lead as Seynhaeve saves penalty against Polen

The contrast between the inefficient start and the eventual victory shows that the Red Flames, despite missed chances, have nonetheless taken a step closer to the World Cup.