Pogoń Szczecin beats Wieczysta Kraków 2-0 with goals from Churlinov and Sanchez

Second-half breakthrough in Szczecin

Pogoń Szczecin secured a 2-0 home victory against Wieczysta Kraków on 13 September 2026 in round eight of the PKO Ekstraklasa, ending a four-match winless streak across all competitions. After a goalless opening 45 minutes, the hosts broke the deadlock in the 59th minute when winger Darko Churlinov received a pass from Patryk Dziczek, maneuvered past defender Kamil Pestka, and fired a shot under the crossbar. Pogoń maintained tactical control through the remainder of the half as the visitors pushed forward in search of an equalizer. In stoppage time, debutant striker Jordi Sanchez received another decisive delivery from Dziczek and finished a one-on-one opportunity against goalkeeper Mateusz Kochalski to settle the result.

First-half opportunities and disallowed goals

Both sides created scoring chances during an energetic first half that ended level. Sanchez nearly scored in the fourth minute when he directed a cross from Churlinov wide of the target from close range. Wieczysta responded through Pestka, whose strike from the edge of the penalty area was turned away by goalkeeper Valentin Cojocaru. In the 25th minute, Sanchez received a long pass and lobbed Kochalski, but the assistant referee disallowed the goal for offside. Wieczysta came closest to scoring in the 32nd minute when Mikkel Maigaard struck the crossbar with a technical effort from outside the box. Broadcaster Rafał Dębiński noted on Canal+ Sport that the shot marked the ninth time Wieczysta had hit the woodwork during the campaign.

Debuts and off-pitch tensions

The fixture followed substantial discussion surrounding both squads and recent transfer market moves. Pogoń handed debuts to defender Alessandro Riccio, signed from Sampdoria Genoa, and Sanchez, the league top scorer signed from Wisła Kraków. The Spanish forward's transfer had generated disputes between club owners on social media, following earlier comments from Pogoń president Alex Haditaghi regarding Wieczysta's transfer conduct. Wieczysta fielded their own newcomer in goalkeeper Kochalski, signed from Qarabag Agdam, while former Pogoń top scorer Efthymis Koulouris started in attack against his previous team.

Coaches evaluate defensive structure and risk

Pogoń manager Oscar Garcia expressed satisfaction with his team's defensive work, particularly against Koulouris and Wieczysta's possession play.

We were very good in defence. In fragments, this was the best match of my tenure. We played against a quality team that can play for possession, but we were well prepared to counter their attacks and stop Koulouris.

Wieczysta head coach Żeljko Kopić, who replaced Kazimierz Moskal earlier in the season, acknowledged that conceding forced his side into vulnerable positions.

After conceding the goal we opened up and wanted to equalise. Then you leave a lot of space for the opponents. That is how you have to play to score a goal. It was a conscious risk taking.

The defeat left Wieczysta on four points near the bottom of the Ekstraklasa standings, sitting only ahead of Raków Częstochowa.