Śląsk Wrocław defeat Pogoń Szczecin 2-1 to reach Polish Cup round of 32

Early lead for the hosts

Śląsk Wrocław secured their place in the round of 32 of the Polish Cup on 3 September 2026 after defeating Pogoń Szczecin 2-1 at Tarczyński Arena. The first-round fixture drew 10,238 spectators in Wrocław, where host midfielder and captain Piotr Samiec-Talar shaped the opening minutes. In the first minute of play, referee Wojciech Myć issued Samiec-Talar a yellow card for pulling the shirt of Maciej Wojciechowski. Just three minutes later, Samiec-Talar capitalized on an errant defensive clearance by Attila Szalai, sending an 18-meter shot past goalkeeper Valentin Cojocaru to give Śląsk a 1-0 lead. Pogoń sought an immediate response when Dimitrios Keramitsis connected with a header from a Kamil Grosicki corner kick in the sixth minute, but Śląsk goalkeeper Michał Szromnik stopped the attempt on the goal line. Szromnik denied Pogoń twice more before halftime, turning away long-range efforts from Paul Mukairu in the 20th minute and Patryk Dziczek near the interval.

Pogoń responds after the interval

Pogoń head coach Oscar Garcia adjusted his lineup at halftime, replacing Hussein Ali with Natan Ława. The visitors missed an opportunity to equalize in the 53rd minute when Wojciechowski shot wide from 11 meters out following a cross from Grosicki and a flick by Keramitsis. Pogoń leveled the score at 1-1 in the 65th minute through individual play on the left flank by Mukairu. The Nigerian forward dribbled past several Śląsk defenders, including Marc Llinares, and placed a low finish into the corner of Szromnik's net.

Step by step we are improving, we need to translate this improvement into points, into victories. We know that this will take time, it is a process. There is no recipe for the Polish Cup, you have to win all matches, it is a slightly different situation than in the league. I expect a difficult match.

Late header seals Wrocław advance

Parity lasted until the 84th minute, when Samiec-Talar delivered a cross from a free kick into the penalty area. Defender Jehor Macenko outjumped the Pogoń defense to head the ball past Cojocaru, restoring Śląsk's lead at 2-1. Śląsk coach Ante Šimundża saw his side manage the closing minutes to secure passage to the next round, maintaining the advantage through stoppage time.

Squad transitions and tournament context

The match marked the Śląsk debut of midfielder Karol Linetty, who started alongside former Pogoń player Mariusz Malec. Pogoń entered the contest following roster changes, having confirmed the departure of Fredrik Ulvestad the day before the match alongside the exit of defender Leonardo Borges. Pogoń fielded Benjamin Mendy at left-back and Grosicki on the wing while pursuing potential transfers, including negotiations regarding Dawid Kownacki. The clash in Wrocław concluded a round of cup fixtures on 3 September that also saw second-tier Avia Świdnik defeat Wieczysta Kraków 3-1, while GKS Tychy eliminated ŁKS Łódź.