Poland falls to Bosnia 0-1 as late penalty damages Nations League campaign
A late penalty by Ivan Bašić secured a 1-0 win for Bosnia and Herzegovina over Poland in Zenica, leaving Jan Urban's team third in League B Group 4.
Late penalty decides contest in Zenica
Poland lost 0-1 to Bosnia and Herzegovina in Zenica on Monday in the UEFA Nations League. Ivan Bašić converted the decisive penalty kick in the 84th minute after French referee Jérémie Pignard ruled that defender Jan Bednarek fouled forward Jovo Lukić inside the penalty area. Earlier in the match, Bosnia had an apparent opening goal ruled out in the 48th minute when Haris Tabaković was judged offside. Poland played without Robert Lewandowski, who served a suspension for accumulated yellow cards, leading manager Jan Urban to start Mateusz Żukowski in attack.
I do not know if this is an individual mistake. Unless it is the referee's. Because that is what I would say. The ball does not reach that forward at all, he does not protest. Referees often do not blow for such fouls in the middle of the pitch.
- Haris Tabaković has a goal disallowed for offside
- Ivan Bašić converts penalty following Jan Bednarek foul on Jovo Lukić
Group standings and Euro 2028 qualifying risk
The defeat leaves Poland in third place in League B Group 4 with four points after four matches, having previously recorded a scoreless draw against Bosnia in Warsaw, a loss against Sweden in Solna, and a 6-0 win over Romania. Poland now trails second-place Bosnia by four points with two rounds remaining in the group stage. Projections from analytics outlet Football Meets Data estimate that Poland holds an 89.3% probability of finishing third, a 6.2% chance of securing second place and entering the promotion playoff, and a 4.5% risk of relegation to League C.
Finishing third would place Poland in Pot 3 for the December draw for the UEFA Euro 2028 qualifying groups, increasing the likelihood of facing two higher-ranked opponents and removing a potential playoff path.
- 3rd place
- 89.3 %
- 2nd place
- 6.2 %
- 4th place
- 4.5 %
Press conference dispute over squad performance
Tensions surfaced during the post-match press conference in Zenica when TV Republika reporter Łukasz Ciona questioned Urban regarding the team's commitment and tactical direction. Urban rejected the assertion that his squad lacked competitive will and disputed claims regarding playing time for younger squad members, specifically Oskar Pietuszewski. Urban pointed to positive developments from the four-match window, citing the integration of Slavia Prague midfielder Wiktor Nowak and consistent performances from goalkeeper Marcin Bułka.
Bosnia manager Sergej Barbarez defended the late penalty decision, stating that video replays confirmed contact in the penalty area.
We saw it on the screen and I talked with Jovo. He says he actually caught him. There is also some football quality in this, the player takes advantage of it. There was contact and this penalty is fine.
Boniek opposes coaching dismissal
Former Polish Football Association president Zbigniew Boniek stated on Prawda Futbolu that dismissing Urban would not resolve the team's difficulties. Boniek noted that tactical execution suffered without Lewandowski, as Poland struggled to match the physical presence of Bosnia's attacking line. Poland concludes its Nations League group stage in November with an away fixture against Romania in Bucharest on 14 November, followed by a home match against Sweden in Wrocław on 17 November.
