Pogoń Szczecin beats Piast Gliwice 2-1 with Jordi Sanchez bicycle kick

Sanchez opens scoring with an overhead kick

Pogoń Szczecin secured their second consecutive league victory with a 2-1 away win over Piast Gliwice on Sunday. Oscar Garcia's side entered the fixture holding the best defensive record in the Ekstraklasa with five goals conceded across the campaign and only one defeat. The visitors fielded newly signed Italian defender Alessandro Riccio on the right side of defense alongside a midfield trio featuring Kellyn Acosta, Patryk Dziczek, and Maciej Wojciechowski. Piast started with former Pogoń defender Jakub Czerwiński in central defense and attempted to establish early momentum through a long-range shot from Hugo Vallejo in the seventh minute, which goalkeeper Valentin Cojocaru gathered cleanly. Piast threatened again in the 24th minute when Ivan Lima moved past several defenders on the right flank before testing Cojocaru with a shot from a tight angle.

First-half exchange and Sanchez reaction

Pogoń opened the scoring in the 26th minute after a pass toward Kellyn Acosta deflected off a defender into the air. Spanish forward Jordi Sanchez adjusted to the bouncing ball and beat goalkeeper Domen Gril with an overhead kick to record his eighth league goal of the season. Referee Daniel Stefański confirmed the goal after consulting with the video assistant referee over a possible offside. Piast responded five minutes later in the 31st minute when Jakub Lewicki delivered a cross from the left wing. Forward Samuel Ntamack connected with a first-time strike to beat Cojocaru and register his second Ekstraklasa goal of the campaign. During the half-time interval, Sanchez addressed both the technical finish and personal matters surrounding his transfer from Wisła Kraków.

It was my prettiest goal. It is my daughter's birthday, so I am even happier about this spectacular goal.

Sanchez also clarified his feelings regarding his previous club.

I smiled seeing it on Friday. My celebration a week ago was not aimed at Wisła. I appreciate, I love this club. It was a stressful week for me. I received many ugly messages, my wife as well. It should not be like that. I know Alan very well, we spoke yesterday like grown men, we have a close relationship, he took care of me when I was at Wisła. I want to end this thread. I have nothing against Wisła.

Churlinov restores the lead

Pogoń regained the lead 12 minutes into the second half following a through ball from winger Paul Mukairu in the 57th minute. Darko Churlinov chased the pass into open space, dribbled past Domen Gril, and slotted the ball into the empty net from an angle to score his third goal of the season. Piast avoided conceding a third goal moments later when Jakub Czerwiński cleared a goal-bound header off the goal line during a crowded sequence in the six-yard box.

Defensive stand seals the points

Piast manager Daniel Myśliwiec made a series of attacking substitutions in search of an equalizer, introducing Jason Lokilo for Ivan Lima in the 61st minute, followed by Katsantónis, Leśniak, Félix, and Pitan. Lokilo came close to leveling the score when his strike from inside the box drifted just wide of the post after a cross from Hugo Vallejo. In the 77th minute, Cojocaru saved a powerful drive from Sanca before a following attempt missed the target. Garcia introduced Jan Biegański in place of Kellyn Acosta to stabilize the midfield, and Pogoń withstood pressure across five minutes of stoppage time to end Piast's month-long unbeaten run.