Widzew Łódź and Wieczysta Kraków draw 2-2 after stadium water breakdown
Widzew Łódź and Wieczysta Kraków played to a 2-2 draw in the PKO BP Ekstraklasa on Friday following a 30-minute delay caused by stadium water failure, with Antonio Milić scoring for both sides.
Infrastructure delay in Łódź
Kickoff for the round nine Ekstraklasa fixture at the stadium in Łódź was pushed back by 30 minutes following a water supply failure. Less than three hours before the scheduled start, water flooded the parking area outside the ground, while toilets and player showers inside ceased working. Facility staff conducted repair operations over several hours, repeatedly delaying the opening of the entrance gates for supporters. A crowd of 16,693 spectators eventually entered the stadium once technicians resolved the plumbing breakdown. Both clubs entered the contest positioned in the lower half of the Ekstraklasa table, with Widzew holding 11th place on eight points from eight games and Wieczysta sitting 17th with four points from seven fixtures.
- Widzew Łódź
- 8 points
- Wieczysta Kraków
- 4 points
First half goals and chances
Widzew established early control, generating their initial attempt in the second minute through a central shot from Giannis Papanikolaou that Mateusz Kochalski stopped. Mariusz Fornalczyk saw two subsequent efforts blocked and directed wide, before Emil Kornvig directed a header off target from a Mario Garcia cross. The home side converted their territorial pressure into an opening goal in the 19th minute when Wieczysta defender Antonio Milić inadvertently turned a cross from the wing into his own net. Wieczysta produced their first attempt past the 30th minute when Jose Antonio de la Rosa sent a long-range shot over the crossbar. Widzew responded with off-target efforts from Fran Alvarez and Fornalczyk, alongside a save by Kochalski against Przemysław Wiśniewski. Wieczysta levelled the score at 1-1 in the 37th minute as Kochalski launched a pass into open space for Lucas Piazon, who lifted the ball over goalkeeper Bartłomiej Drągowski.
Second half exchanges
The second half opened with two off-target chances from Wieczysta forward Efthymis Koulouris, followed by Kochalski rushing out to deny Stipe Biuk inside the penalty box. Widzew regained the advantage in the 65th minute through a finish from Mario Garcia. Wieczysta recovered in the 80th minute when Milić scored with a header into the Widzew net, equalizing the score at 2-2. Referee Mateusz Piszczelok issued yellow cards to Mateusz Żyro for Widzew, as well as Aleksandar Djermanović and Lucas Piazon for Wieczysta. Both coaching staffs utilized late substitutions across the final 15 minutes of play to adjust their tactical setups. Widzew introduced Antoni Klukowski, Sebastian Bergier, Dani Silva, Lindon Selahi, and Mateusz Żyro from the bench. Wieczysta brought on Miki Villar, Lisandro Semedo, Petar Pusić, Matus Vojtko, and Tobiasz Mras during the second period.
- Antonio Milić scores an own goal to give Widzew Łódź a 1-0 lead
- Lucas Piazon scores off a Mateusz Kochalski pass to equalize 1-1
- Mario Garcia scores to put Widzew Łódź ahead 2-1
- Antonio Milić scores with a header to draw Wieczysta Kraków level at 2-2
Standings and final distribution
The 2-2 draw concluded the round nine fixture with Milić scoring at both ends of the pitch over 90 minutes. The single point moved Widzew to nine points from nine league appearances in the PKO BP Ekstraklasa campaign. Wieczysta increased their season tally to five points through eight matches played, remaining in the lower section of the standings. Match referee Mateusz Piszczelok from Katowice officiated the encounter before 16,693 spectators following the resolution of the municipal water malfunction.
