Zbigniew Boniek backs goalkeeper Marcin Bułka after Poland's 6:0 win over Romania

Rebound against Romania

Poland completed three of their four scheduled fixtures in the September-October international window under manager Jan Urban. The camp opened with a 0:0 draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina, followed by a 1:3 defeat against Sweden that prompted scrutiny regarding team defense and the coaching staff. The national team responded in their third match on Friday evening at Stadion Narodowy, defeating Romania 6:0. Striker Robert Lewandowski scored a hat-trick during the match as Poland capitalized on Romania's defensive errors. The result altered the tone around the squad heading into the final fixture of the window.

Goalkeeping hierarchy settled

Former Polish Football Association president Zbigniew Boniek evaluated the squad's performances in a column for the portal Weszło, identifying goalkeeper Marcin Bułka as the standout performer of the camp. Urban originally selected Bułka alongside Mateusz Kochalski and Kamil Grabara, but Grabara suffered a severe injury during Juventus training, while prospective replacement Bartłomiej Drągowski was also sidelined by injury. Sławomir Abramowicz joined the squad as cover, while Bologna goalkeeper Łukasz Skorupski was omitted from the squad. Bułka started all three matches, producing key saves during the defeat to Sweden and the opening twenty minutes against Romania.

Earlier there was a lot of discussion about the goalkeepers, and the interventions he made against Sweden or in the first twenty minutes against Romania allow us to think that there is no need to keep searching and fooling around, but simply to bet on Bułka.

Boniek also addressed the absence of Skorupski, advising that the veteran focus on his club until regaining full match form.

It seems to me that for today we need to give Łukasz Skorupski a rest. Let Skorupski focus on his team, and when he returns to form, then he can be an alternative.

Nowak emergence and midfield depth

Alongside Bułka, 22-year-old midfielder Wiktor Nowak drew attention after making his senior international debut. Nowak recorded seven goals and six assists for Znicz Pruszków in the second division during the 2024–2025 season before moving to Górnik Zabrze, who loaned him to Wisła Płock in summer 2025. In summer 2026, he transferred to Czech champions Slavia Prague, where he registered five goals and one assist across his first nine matches and debuted in the Champions League against Lens. Urban tracked Nowak during that European fixture, praising his tactical flexibility between wide positions and central midfield before calling him up.

Nowak certainly looked good in these matches. But is he the main winner of the camp? I do not think he is a player who already makes such a big difference, although of course he is a player who has great skills, is confident, and something good can come of him.

Urban labeled Nowak a complete player after his display against Romania, where he integrated into midfield alongside the national team's established players.

Group standings and final fixture

The 6:0 victory over Romania allowed Poland to narrow the gap on Group 4 leaders Sweden. Sweden dropped points in the same round, drawing 1:1 away against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Poland concludes the four-match window on Monday, 5 October 2026, traveling to Zenica to face Bosnia and Herzegovina at 20:45.