Poland vs Netherlands: Kaminski runs from inside own half to score opening goal before Memphis Depay levels in 2026 World Cup qualification
Poland and the Netherlands traded goals in a qualifier
Jakub Kaminski ran from well inside his own half to put Poland ahead against the Netherlands on Friday in a blow to Oranje’s hopes of winning Group G.
Poland are unbeaten in four matches under new manager Jan Urban and their promising start under the former White and Red international continued with a move that started with Kaminski advancing from just outside his own penalty area.
The Koln winger, who is on loan from Wolfsburg, found Robert Lewandowski short of the halfway line, collected the striker’s return pass and surged through the visitors’ half before slotting past goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen as he approached the box.
There was relief for Ronald Koeman’s team two minutes after the break when Memphis Depay equalised with a close-range strike, putting the three-time World Cup finalists back on course to seal top spot in the section.
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Poland vs Holland: Kaminiski goal
After four goals and an assist in his last nine Bundesliga appearances, Kaminski now has two goals and an assist in his last three international games, helping Poland win 2-0 in Lithuania on October 12, beat Finland 3-1 at home on September 25 and draw 1-1 in Rotterdam on September 4.
Victory would send Poland level on points with the Netherlands but the group leaders have a double-figure goal superiority, making them all-but mathematically certain to reach next year’s finals in the US, Canada and Mexico automatically if they avoid defeat against Poland or lose but win at home to Lithuania on Monday.
That means Poland, who visit Malta on the same evening, will finish second unless they beat the Netherlands and then better their result in the final games for both sides.
2026 World Cup playoffs dates
The top team from each of the 12 European Qualifier groups proceeds automatically to the finals, which will be expanded to 48 teams.
The 12 runners-up in each group will join four Nations League teams in the play-offs, which will be drawn from pots based on teams’ records during the campaign and take place on March 26 and 31 2026.
The games will comprise single-leg semi-finals and finals, with the draw for the World Cup finals taking place in December 2025. The tournament runs from June 11 until July 19 2026.
Poland lineup vs Netherlands
Bologna goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski and Porto centre-back Jan Bednarek were out for Poland, who were captained by Barcelona hitman Lewandowski.
Poland starting XI: Kamil Grabara, Matty Cash, Tomasz Kedziora, Jan Ziolkowski, Robert Lewandowski, Piotr Zielinski, Jakub Kaminski, Jakub Kiwior, Michal Skoras, Sebastian Szymanski, Nicola Zalewski
Poland substitutes: Mateusz Kochalski, Bartlomiej Drągowski, Kryspin Szczesniak, Filip Rozga, Karol Swiderski, Bartosz Kapustka, Kamil Grosicki, Pawel Wszolek, Adam Buksa, Kacper Kozlowski, Bartosz Bereszynski
Netherlands lineup vs Poland
Ajax striker Wout Weghorst and Inter wideman Denzel Dumfries were out for the Netherlands but Manchester United centre-back Matthijs de Ligt was back in the squad and on the bench.
Netherlands starting XI: Bart Verbruggen, Lutsharel Geertruida, Jurrien Timber, Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch, Memphis Depay, Cody Gakpo, Micky van de Ven, Donyell Malen, Justin Kluivert, Frenkie de Jong, Robin Roefs
Netherlands substitutes: Mark Flekken, Nathan Ake, Matthijs De Ligt, Xavi Simons, Emmanuel Emegha, Jan Paul van Hecke, Tijjani Reijnders, Jerdy Schouten, Noa Lang, Quinten Timber, Luciano Valente
How to watch Poland vs Netherlands: TV channel, live online streams
Kick-off on Friday was at 19:45 GMT (14:45 ET / 11:45 PT), with live coverage in the UK on Amazon Prime PPV, which charges £2.49 for the game.
Netherlands squad vs Poland, Lithuania
Goalkeepers: Mark Flekken (Bayer Leverkusen), Robin Roefs (Sunderland), Bart Verbruggen (Brighton)
Defenders: Nathan Ake (Man City), Matthijs de Ligt (Man United), Denzel Dumfries (Inter Milan), Lutsharel Geertruida (Sunderland), Quilindschy Hartman (Burnley), Jurrien Timber (Arsenal), Micky van de Ven (Tottenham), Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool), Jan-Paul van Hecke (Brighton)
Midfielders: Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona), Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool), Justin Kluivert (Bournemouth), Tijjani Reijnders (Man City), Jerdy Schouten (PSV), Xavi Simons (Tottenham), Quinten Timber, Luciano Valente (both Feyenoord)
Forwards: Memphis Depay (Corinthians), Cody Gakpo (Liverpool), Noah Lang (Napoli), Donyell Malen (Villa), Wout Weghorst (Ajax)