Warsaw (AFP)

A goal in added time allowed Poland to snatch a draw (1-1) against England on Wednesday in Warsaw in Group I qualifying for the 2022 World Cup, even if the visitors remain solidly in head.

With 16 points, the Three Lions no longer have their perfect record in this group, but they keep 4 lengths ahead of Albania (2nd) and 5 over Poland (3rd).

This trip to Warsaw, in a hostile atmosphere and facing Robert Lewandowski's team, was undoubtedly the most difficult test in this group for Gareth Southgate's men and they ended up giving in at the end of the match after having it. controlled for 80 minutes.

The coach had chosen to put back the starting lineup in Hungary (4-0), six days ago, after having aligned a completely revamped team against Andorra (4-0) during the weekend.

The English fared remarkably well for a long time, once again showing great defensive solidity.

Yet Southgate, who made no substitutions during the match, had warned that his players should be perfect in defense and pressing.

He will therefore no doubt be unhappy with the way they seemed to lose track at the very end of the match.

The serial scorer Lewandowski had been well contained, contenting himself with half an opportunity in the first period - a lobed deflection too soft to deceive Pickford (29th) - and another, on a distant strike and low to the ground (71st), in second.

Polish striker Robert Lewandowski tries to lob English goalkeeper Jordan Pickford during European qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, September 8, 2021 in Warsaw JANEK SKARZYNSKI AFP

The most dangerous action for the locals had been this counter-clearing goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, who was quick enough to get the ball back before it crossed the line (81st) but which seemed to betray the nervousness that seemed to gain the English.

On one of their last cartridges, Lewandowski, eccentric, deposited a sharp cross on which Szymanski threw himself with conviction to capsize the stadium (1-1, 90 + 3).

The joy of Polish midfielder Damian Szymanski, after equalizing (1-1) against England, during the European qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, September 8, 2021 in Warsaw JANEK SKARZYNSKI AFP

A point not scandalous either for the Poles, the English attack not having been resplendent, despite a clearly positive possession of the ball.

The offensive quartet of Mason Mount, Raheem Sterling, Harry Kane and Jack Grealish combined a lot and tried to alternate percussion, dribbling and combinations to force the rearguard of the Reds and Whites, but the chances were also rare.

A close-angle shot a bit too crossed from Grealish (46th) and a header from Harry Maguire who failed on the post (60th) nevertheless sent shivers down the backs of the Polish supporters.

It was finally not until a long, whipped and floating strike from Kane to deceive Wojchiech Szczesny masked by Jan Bednarek at the start for the Three Lions to find the loophole in the 72nd.

English striker Harry Kane opens the scoring against Poland, during the European qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, September 8, 2021 in Warsaw JANEK SKARZYNSKI AFP

With still trips to Andorra and San Marino, as well as the receptions of Hungary and Albania on the program, England still has its fate largely in its hands to secure the direct ticket to Qatar that 'offers first place in the group.

© 2021 AFP