In their final home match of this World Cup qualification campaign, the Lithuania national football team fell 0-2 to the Poland national football team. After a competitive opening 45 minutes in which they trailed by just a single goal, Lithuania couldn’t keep up after the break, conceding again and ultimately falling short in front of their home supporters.
Just three days earlier, Lithuania had taken the lead away to Finland national football team through Pijus Širvys, only to concede twice in the second half and lose 1-2. This time, the challenge was even tougher: Poland arrived in Kaunas with a strong squad and a large traveling fan contingent.
Head coach Edgaras Jankauskas made three changes from the previous match. Suspended Artur Dolžnikov was unavailable, while striker Gytis Paulauskas and midfielder Modestas Vorobjovas started on the bench. Their spots in the lineup went to Gratas Sirgedas, 34-year-old veteran Fedor Černych – making his 102nd international appearance – and Japan-based Vykintas Slivka.
Surrounded by pyrotechnic smoke inside the Darius and Girėnas Stadium, Lithuania began energetically, pressing high and disrupting Poland’s buildup. The visitors stayed composed and patient, looking for their moment.
It came in the 15th minute. A pinpoint corner from Sebastian Szymański flew straight into the net, beating goalkeeper Tomas Švedkauskas for 1-0.
Lithuania nearly answered minutes later when Pijus Širvys curled a dangerous free kick just wide. Their best chance of the half came shortly before the break, when Edvinas Girdvainis rose to meet Gvidas Gineitis’ corner, only to see his header flash past the post.
The second half began with Poland asserting greater control. Švedkauskas was forced into several sharp saves to keep his side in the game. But in the 64th minute, Poland doubled their lead. Szymański whipped in a cross to the six-yard box, and star striker Robert Lewandowski met it with a precise header to make it 2-0.
Immediately after the goal, Jankauskas introduced fresh legs with Tomas Kalinauskas and Modestas Vorobjovas replacing Paulius Golubickas and Sirgedas, followed later by in-form A Lyga top scorer Eligijus Jankauskas. But the hosts struggled to regain momentum. Poland continued to dictate the tempo, creating more chances through Matty Cash and Wisniewski, whose header from close range narrowly missed.
In the closing stages, Gytis Paulauskas and Nauris Petkevičius entered the field – the latter making his first national team appearance in over three years.
No further goals were scored, and Lithuania suffered their fourth defeat of the campaign. With just three points, they remain in fourth place, ahead of Malta national football team.
Lithuania will close out their qualification campaign in November with a trip to face group leaders Netherlands national football team. A friendly against Israel national football team is scheduled a few days earlier.
Lithuania vs Poland – 0-2 (0-1)
Goals: Szymanski 15′, Lewandowski 64′
LIT: Švedkauskas, Širvys, Armalas, Girdvainis (Paulauskas 85′), Tutyškinas, Golubickas (Kalinauskas 66′), Sirgedas (Vorobjovas 66′), Gineitis, Lasickas, Černych (Jankauskas 73′), Slivka (Petkevičius 85′)
World Cup 2026 qualifying Group G
| # | Team | GP | W | D | L | PTS |
| 1 | Netherlands | 8 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 20 |
| 2 | Poland | 8 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 17 |
| 3 | Finland | 8 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 10 |
| 4 | Malta | 8 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 5 |
| 5 | Lithuania | 8 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 3 |
