The late entry of "Ibra", in the 80th minute, did not cause the miracle hoped for by the Swedes.

At 40, this character of world football has said goodbye forever to global competition, and perhaps even to the Swedish selection.

And Fifa can breathe.

The man she named twice the best player in the world in 2020 and 2021, Robert Lewandowski, will participate well in the tournament next winter in Qatar (November 21-December 18).

After a round of observation, the two teams were not paralyzed by the stakes, and the match gradually unbridled.

Sweden had a highlight, including a first chance by Emil Forsberg, whose cross shot in the box was deflected for a corner with fingertips by the Polish goalkeeper of Juventus, Wojciech Szczesny (19th).

The Nordics then tried a lot, sometimes besieging the Polish surface, and above all perfectly silenced the star of the "White Eagles", Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski for 45 minutes.

But Poland, pushed by their public, offered a superb reply, despite the absence of Marseille striker Arkadiusz Milik, injured last week during the friendly match against Scotland.

Last chance

Lateral Matty Cash missed the best Polish opportunity of the first period, completely unscrewing a shot in the area as the goal opened up for him (26th).

The turning point of the match came just after the break, when Jesper Karlström shoved Grzegorz Krychowiak into the box.

Lewandowski was responsible for transforming the indisputable penalty, to allow his country to take a first step towards Qatar (1-0, 49th).

The joy of Polish striker Robert Lewandowski, after opening the scoring on a penalty against Sweden, in the play-off final for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, March 29, 2022 in Chorzow JANEK SKARZYNSKI AFP

Sweden has not given up.

On another breakthrough from the formidable Alexander Isak, the 22-year-old Real Sociedad player, Emil Forsberg could even have equalized two minutes later, without another impeccable reflex save from Szczesny.

But fate tipped over a huge individual error by Marcus Danielson.

Piotr Zielinski, the Naples striker, found himself alone in front of the unfortunate goalkeeper Robin Olsen, whom he beat with a furious shot (2-0, 72nd).

The joy of Polish midfielder Piotr Zielinski, after scoring the second goal against Sweden, in the final of the qualifying play-off for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, March 29, 2022 in Chorzow JANEK SKARZYNSKI AFP

Sweden then lost their footing, and Olsen avoided a heavier score, against Lewandowski in particular, who had at least two chances to score a brace.

Poland, eliminated in the first round at its last two tournaments, the World Cup-2018 and Euro-2020, is therefore offered a new chance.

The last undoubtedly in the planetary competition for Lewandowski, 33, and Kamil Glik, 34, and the teammates of their generation.

© 2022 AFP