PZPN

5 June 1938, Strasbourg, Brazil – Poland 6-5 a.e.t.

Goals: Leonidas 18', 93', 114', Romeu 25', Peracio 44', 71' - Fryderyk Scherfke 23' (pen), Ernest Wilimowski 53', 59', 89', 118'

It was the first match of our national team at the World Cup. The White-and-Reds took on Brazil in France. It was only our third meeting with a rival from outside of Europe. The Polish national team was the great unknown for the opponent, but everyone unanimously indicated the "Canarinhos" as the favourite. The beginning of the match seemed to confirm this theory as after Leonidas's goal the Brazilians took the lead. However, the one who went down in the history of the World Cup, namely Ernest Wilimowski, soon made his move. First, he won a penalty kick which was converted by Fryderyk Scherfke. It was the first goal of the White-and-Reds in the World Cup. This annoyed the players from South America. Before the half-time break they managed to score two goals and they seemed to have the match under control. However, we had Wilimowski on our team. After the change of sides, his two goals led to an equalizer. Twelve minutes after the equalizer, thanks to Peracio, the Brazilians took the lead again, but "Ezi" was unstoppable that day. He scored the equalizer once again and the fate of the match was to be decided in the extra time. In the extra time, Leonidas scored two goals for our rivals, to which Wilimowski responded with one goal. Ultimately, Poland lost 5-6 but made a great impression.

Line-up of the Polish national team: Edward Madejski – Władysław Szczepaniak, Antoni Gałecki – Wilhelm Góra, Edward Nyc, Edward Dytko – Ryszard Piec, Leonard Piątek, Fryderyk Scherfke, Ernest Wilimowski, Gerard Wodarz.

15 June 1974, Stuttgart, Argentina – Poland 2-3

Goals: Ramon Armando Heredia 61', Carlos Alberto Babington 67' – Grzegorz Lato 7', 63', Andrzej Szarmach 9'

The Poles had to wait 36 years for another match in the final tournament of the World Cup. Even though they won the Olympics in 1972, they were not treated as one of the favourites. "When thinking about Poland, almost everyone was merely wondering whether Poland would outdistance Haiti in the group. The first two places were supposed to be reserved for Italy and Argentina," recalls Władysław Żmuda, the backbone of defence of the team led by Kazimierz Górski.

The first match against Argentina already showed that those who thought the White-and-Reds would be merely a source of points were mistaken. The Poles courageously charged at Argentina and after only 9 minutes they were leading 2-0 thanks to the goals scored by Grzegorz Lato and Andrzej Szarmach. The shocked rivals rushed to make up for their loses after the half-time break. They even scored a catch-up goal but Lato immediately responded. Although the Argentineans scored once more, Poland won 3-2 and began its triumphal march for the World Cup Medal.

Polish national team line-up: Jan Tomaszewski – Antoni Szymanowski, Jerzy Gorgoń, Władysław Żmuda, Adam Musiał – Henryk Kasperczak, Kazimierz Deyna, Zygmunt Maszczyk – Grzegorz Lato, Andrzej Szarmach (72' Jan Domarski), Robert Gadocha (84' Lesław Ćmikiewicz).

6 July 1974, Munich, Brazil – Poland 0-1

Goal: Grzegorz Lato 76'

The Poles began the World Cup in West Germany with a victory against Argentina and ended it with a victory against another South American team – Brazil. The White-and-Reds took on the "Canarinhos" again, but this time the third place in the World Cup was at stake. The Poles played the match after an unfortunate loss to the home team in the semi-finals. Although they came out onto the pitch tired by the previous battles and it was boiling hot outside, their target was simple – to win a podium place in the World Cup. Supporters in Munich did not see any goals in a long time. The Brazilians achieved a clear advantage but could not find a way to break down the Polish defence.

"We showed that we know how to counter-attack," said Henryk Kasperczak years later. It is indeed how Poland scored the only goal of the match. Grzegorz Lato escaped the Brazilian defenders, raced through the right side of the pitch, ran into the penalty area and beat Emerson Leao. The White-and-Reds became the third best team in the world and Lato became the top scorer.

Polish national team line-up: Jan Tomaszewski – Antoni Szymanowski, Jerzy Gorgoń, Władysław Żmuda, Adam Musiał – Henryk Kasperczak (79' Lesław Ćmikiewicz), Kazimierz Deyna, Zygmunt Maszczyk – Grzegorz Lato, Andrzej Szarmach (73' Zdzisław Kapka), Robert Gadocha.

28 June 1982, Barcelona, Belgium – Poland 0-3

Goals: Zbigniew Boniek 3', 26', 54'

After the unsatisfied feeling associated with the fifth place in the World Cup in 1978, the performance of Poland in the group stage of the World Cup in Spain was a bit disappointing. While the draw with Italy was welcomed, the same result (0-0) in the match against Cameroon was already a disappointment. Poland won the third match against Cameroon 5-1, but they pulled off their best show in the match of the next stage against the Belgians. Our rivals had a very strong line-up and many people were expecting an equal match, though slightly in favour of the "Red Devils". However, the Poles were very quick to strike and after merely three minutes they took the lead thanks to Zbigniew Boniek. After less than half an hour of the game it was already 2-0 as "Zibi" added another goal. When shortly after the half-time break he completed a hat-trick, it became clear that nothing bad can happen to the White-and-Reds anymore. Ultimately, they won 3-0 and continued their performance in the World Cup, finishing the tournament in the third place for the second time.

Polish national team line-up: Józef Młynarczyk – Marek Dziuba, Władysław Żmuda, Paweł Janas, Stefan Majewski – Grzegorz Lato, Waldemar Matysik, Janusz Kupcewicz (82' Włodzimierz Ciołek), Andrzej Buncol – Zbigniew Boniek, Włodzimierz Smolarek.

7 June 1986, Monterrey, Poland – Portugal 1-0

Goal: Włodzimierz Smolarek 68'

The last match of the Polish national team so far which allowed it to advance from the group at the final tournament of the World Cup. The White-and-Reds set off to Mexico with a very experimental line-up. In addition to the old hands, such as Józef Młynarczyk, Stefan Majewski or Zbigniew Boniek, the team also included players who were only to become the driving force for our team in the next few years. After a goalless draw with Morocco, the Poles were about to face Portugal. Coach Antoni Piechniczek paired Zbigniew Boniek and Włodziewierz Smolarek in the attack. The latter scored the winning goal, beating Vitor Damas in the second half of the match. Incidentally, it was his 800th goal in the history of the Polish national team. The victory against Portugal secured Poland's place in the next round, however, it was also the last victory in this tournament. In the third encounter of the group stage Poland lost to England 0-3 and subsequently to Brazil 0-4. Our team had to wait as many as 16 years for another performance at the World Cup.

Polish national team line-up: Józef Młynarczyk – Krzysztof Pawlak, Roman Wójcicki, Stefan Majewski, Marek Ostrowski – Dariusz Dziekanowski, Waldemar Matysik, Ryszard Komornicki (57' Jan Karaś), Jan Urban – Zbigniew Boniek, Włodzimierz Smolarek (75' Andrzej Zgutczyński).

Emil Kopański

FOT: East News