Red Flames cling to lead as Seynhaeve saves penalty against Polen

In the chilly Leuven stadium, the Red Flames pressed forward against Polen, knowing a single goal could decide their World Cup play‑off hopes. Elena Dhont broke the deadlock in added time of the first half, and goalkeeper Lowiese Seynhaeve later denied a Polish penalty, preserving a slender 1‑0 advantage.

The decisive strike arrived in the 45+3 minute, when Dhont received a low cross and volleyed home, sending the Den Dreef crowd into a brief roar. It was the only goal of the evening and gave the Belgian side, representing België, a crucial edge.

Poland’s chance to equalise came early in the second half when their striker stepped up, only to see the ball sail over the bar. Earlier, in the first half, Red Flames forward Tessa Wullaert had her own penalty saved after a wobble from the Polish defence.

Crucial moments

Seynhaeve’s heroics arrived in the 82nd minute, when she dived to parry a well‑placed Polish penalty, keeping the scoreline intact. Just before that, a mistake by defender Sari Kees gifted Poland a second spot‑kick, which was also thwarted by the Belgian keeper.

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Polish goalkeeper Seweryn made several impressive stops, notably denying Dhont’s follow‑up attempts in the 84th and 85th minutes. The Flames, however, struggled to retain possession in the first half, allowing Poland to dominate possession and create the majority of chances.

The first half exposed the Flames’ inefficiency, as they failed to control the ball and often looked disorganised. Nevertheless, they managed to absorb pressure and maintain their narrow lead despite the chaotic tempo.

What the win means

The 1‑0 result gives the Red Flames a small bonus heading into the return leg in Poland on Tuesday. Should they hold this advantage, a decisive double‑leg showdown could determine which side secures a place at the World Cup.

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The match featured prominently in the national Voetbal Programma, listed alongside Tennis and Formule 1 fixtures, and was highlighted under the Meer voetbal section that also references the Jupiler Pro League, Challenger Pro League, Champions League, Europa League and Conference League. The Belgian federation, often shortened to Belgi, praised the performance as a sign of growing strength in women's football.