Poland 2–0 Malta Player Ratings: Karol Swiderski Guides the Eagles to Dominant Win
Poland picked up a comfortable 2-0 win over Malta in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier clash at the Stadion Narodowy, Warsaw on March 24. A brace from striker Karol Swiderski was enough to help the Eagles to their second straight win in the qualifiers and take control of Group G.
The hosts took total control from the get-go, pushing the Malta players back with their adventurous attacking style. Despite Robert Lewandowski being benched, that didn’t stop the Polish players from having fun. Jakub Kaminski weaved through the Malta backline, dribbling past multiple players before shooting wide in the third minute. However, the visitors also had an early chance as striker Ilyas Chouaref tested Lukasz Skorupski with a tricky, curling effort that was barely denied.
Poland had a big chance on a counter-attack in the 20th minute, which Mateusz Bogasz wasted before Jakub Moder’s shot went over. However, the Polish side’s dominance was rewarded in the 27th minute as Karol Swiderski popped up in an open area inside the box to convert Kryzstof Piatek’s cross. Chouaref tried testing the host with another powerful effort in the 33rd minute, only to see it brilliantly saved by Henry Bonello.
Swiderski nearly doubled the lead a minute later, but his top-corner effort was expertly saved. James Carragher forced a comfortable save from Skorupski in the 37th minute, while Sebastian Szymanski diverted a shot over the bar a minute later. Poland had another big chance thwarted in the 44th minute when Jakub Kiwior’s close-range effort was denied by the Malta goalkeeper.
Poland kept pushing for more after the half-time break and doubled the lead in the 51st minute when a smart pass from Jakub Moder was guided into the back of the net by Swiderski. Moder had a few shooting attempts go off-target before the hour mark. Swiderski saw his threatening shooting chance denied in the 61st minute, and another clutch close-range attempt saved in the 71st minute too.
Matty Cash, who came on as a substitute, had an attempt go wide in the 75th minute. Kaminski’s attempt was saved by Bonello in the 78th minute. Poland failed to score despite having many goal attempts late on, while Malta ended the game with 10 men after striker Ilyas Chouaref was sent off in the final stages. The win means that Poland now tops Group G in the World Cup qualifying stages. Here are the Poland vs Malta Player Ratings.
Poland Player Ratings
GK – Lukasz Skorupski – 6/10
Skorupski was made to work by the Malta players on occasions with some tricky efforts. He proved to be up for the task with some sharp saves to keep his clean sheet.
RCB – Kamil Piatkowski – 7/10
The 24-year-old was a diligent and disciplined figure at the back. He was alert with his challenges, winning the ball back many times and also moved the ball around nicely.
CB – Jan Bednarek – 7/10
The Poland captain was commanding and dominant at the back, cutting out Malta’s attacking moves well. He made a crucial challenge to win back the ball before the opening goal and won all his duels. Had to be taken off at half-time because of an injury scare.
LCB – Jakub Kiwior – 7/10
Kiwior maintained his impressive form for the national team with another compelling performance. He popped up with some vital interceptions and clearances to keep things tidy on his side.
RWB – Przemyslaw Frankowski – 7.5/10
The Galatasaray man was a lively figure down the right flank, tormenting the visitors with his clever runs through the wide areas. He created some promising chances with his inviting crosses but was unlucky not to get an assist.
CM – Sebastian Szymanski – 6.5/10
The 25-year-old was proactive and efficient with his work in midfield, helping his side stay on top of the game and maintain total control of possession. Moved the ball forward well and created some nice chances, but his shooting wasn’t the most accurate.
CM – Jakub Moder – 8/10
Moder had a lot of fun against Malta after being given the utmost freedom to roam around to the opposition half and cause damage. He created several chances and produced a stellar backpass for the second goal. His shooting wasn’t too bad either, but his shots were all expertly denied.
CM – Mateusz Bogusz – 6/10
The 23-year-old was lively in the opposition half, winning the ball in key areas and getting at the end of chances. But he wasted a big chance in the first half and lacked that bite with his finishing.
LWB – Jakub Kaminski – 8/10
Kaminski was an absolute nightmare for the Malta defenders with his blistering movement down the left flank. He repeatedly bypassed opposition players, completing five dribbles and also creating several big chances. Unlucky not to get amongst the goals despite his lively effort.
CF – Karol Swiderski – 9/10
Swiderski ensured that Poland did not miss the presence of Lewandowski in this game. He was clinical in putting away his chances, the first goal coming from a tap-in and another a brilliant left-footed goal. Continuously tested the opponents with his shooting attempts and ran riot in the opposition half.
CF – Krzysztof Piatek – 7/10
Piatek wasn’t that involved in the attacking build-up play but was efficient with whatever he got. Picked out Swidersky with a great cross for his first goal.
SUB – Mateusz Wietsaka – 6/10
Wietsaka ensured that his side was not hassled by the Malta forwards with his sturdy defensive work in the second half.
SUB – Bartosz Slisz – 6.5/10
Brought more steel and energy to the midfield, helping his side control things well.
SUB – Matty Cash – 6/10
Cash was defensively solid and came close to scoring after coming on seeing a shot go wide from an awkward angle.
SUB – Robert Lewandowski – 6.5/10
Lewandowski played an impressive role in linking up more attacking chances to be a team player. But he failed to get a goal contribution.
SUB – Bartosz Bereszynski – N/R
Had an uneventful late cameo.
Manager – Michal Probierz – 8/10
Probierz made a bold decision to bench Lewandowski for this game, but it was ultimately validated. Swiderski leaped up to the challenge by producing a clinical effort and repaying his coach’s faith in him. Probierz ensured his side was more innovative with their attacking chances and also maintained a defensive sturdiness to get the job done.
Malta Player Ratings
GK – Henry Bonello – 7.5/10
The 36-year-old goalkeeper was made to work by the Polish players and saved his side from a real embarrassment. He made 10 saves in the game, showcasing excellent reflexes for some. Could’ve perhaps done better to deny Swiderki’s second.
RCB – Zach Muscat – 5/10
Muscat tried his best in his damage control duties and made some nice challenges in the first half. But he failed to stop the hosts’ flow through his side and was too aggressive at times.
CB – James Carragher – 3/10
Jamie Carragher’s son had a night to forget against Poland. He failed to stop the ball from going through him for Swiderski’s first goal and gave away the ball in a bad area for the second. Despite making some energetic challenges, his overall performance was sloppy.
LCB – Enrico Pepe – 4.5/10
The 35-year-old worked his socks off in trying to frustrate the hosts but was ultimately overwhelmed by their numbers in the attack.
RWB – Joseph Mbong – 4.5/10
The 27-year-old was given a hard time by the menacing Kaminski because of his darting forward runs. He won some key duels but failed to nullify the hosts’ threat down his side.
CM – Matthew Guillaumier – 5/10
The Malta captain worked hard in covering a lot of distance for his side. But he failed to stop Poland’s flow through the midfield and was often bypassed too easily for their attacking moves.
CM – Teddy Teuma – 7/10
The Reims midfielder was probably the biggest fighter for Malta in the midfield role. He worked hard to cut out a lot of Poland’s forward moves, winning 11 duels and making eight possession recoveries too.
CM – Alexander Satariano – 5/10
Satariano tried his best to work as hard as possible to keep the hosts quiet through the central channels. He reacted like a spectator for the second goal, but won a few key challenges apart from that.
LWB – Ryan Camenzuli – 4.5/10
The 30-year-old was given a tough time by Frankowski and failed to stop him from swinging inviting crosses into the box. Couldn’t do much going forward either.
CF – Ilyas Chouaref – 6/10
Chouaref was probably Malta’s biggest spark in the attack, as he was at least able to carve out some chances for himself. He tested the goalkeeper with two sharp efforts in the first half and had another one denied in the second half. His eventful game ended with him being sent off for a high studs-up challenge in added time.
CF – Paul Mbong – 4.5/10
Mbong was almost like a spectator in the first half, not having any influence in the opposition half. Failed to get any shots on target, unlike Chouaeref.
SUB – Kyrian Nwoko – 5/10
Failed to be much of an upgrade over Mbong.
SUB – Carlo Lonardelli – 6/10
Worked hard defensively after coming on, but failed to create much.
SUB – Basil Tuma – 5.5/10
Disciplined with his passing, but couldn’t cause much damage in Poland’s final third.
SUB – Adam Overend – N/R
Couldn’t make that many challenges late on.
SUB – Jean Borg – N/R
Ensured Malta didn’t concede late goals.
Manager – Emilio De Leo – 5/10
De Leo’s decision to play a three-man backline and defend deep blew up in his face. His side was just not shaped up strongly enough, with gaps popping up at regular intervals. The sloppy errors didn’t work, and neither did De Leo’s substitutions.
Sportsdunia’s Man of the Match for this game goes to Karol Swiderski.
What was the result of Poland vs Malta?
Poland 2-0 Malta
When was Poland vs Malta?
Poland vs Malta took place at the Stadion Narodowy in Warsaw at 19:45 GMT on March 24.
Who was the Man of the Match in Poland vs Malta?
Karol Swiderski was the Man of the Match in Poland vs Malta.
Who was the Worst Player in Poland vs Malta?
James Carragher was the worst player in Poland vs Malta.
