Medical emergency overshadows Finland's victory over Poland

In the 75th minute, the match between Finland and Poland had to be suspended due to a medical emergency. IMAGO/Newspix

A medical emergency in the stands overshadowed Tuesday's World Cup qualifier between Finland and Poland. The match at Helsinki's Olympic Stadium was suspended in the 75th minute because a spectator required treatment. Referee Joao Pinheiro subsequently sent both teams to the dressing rooms. The decision was subsequently made to resume play after a break of approximately 45 minutes.

In terms of football, the visitors, who had entered the match following the (temporary) retirement of star player Lewandowski and the falling out with national coach Michal Probierz, certainly knew how to pose a threat. But Leverkusen goalkeeper Hradecky distinguished himself several times and defused Piatek's best chance (11').

At the other end, goalkeeper Skorupski awarded a penalty. After losing the ball in his own penalty area, he challenged Lod and brought him down. Pohjanpalo converted the penalty in the 31st minute to make it 1-0, bringing Finland into the break.

The second half continued to be full of action in both penalty areas. In the 64th minute, Antman, after winning the ball high, counterattacked and laid it off to Källmann in the box, who neatly put his foot out and made it 2-0. Poland, however, responded through Kiwior: Following a throw-in into the box, Piatek dangerously flicked the ball in front of the goal. The Arsenal player was quickest to react in the scramble and slotted home the equalizer in the 69th minute.

This was followed by the aforementioned interruption of play due to an emergency in the stands. After the restart, neither team was able to distinguish themselves, so Finland took the lead in Group G ahead of Poland with a 2-1 win. Poland suffered its first defeat on its road to the World Cup following Lewandowski's retirement.