Poland

1-1

England

Szewcyck 31

 

Lineker 77


European Championship Qualifier
Lech Stadium, Poznan
13 November 1991

Gary Lineker's late goal gave England the point they needed in Poznan to qualify for the 1992 European Championship.

Early on in the match, it was the home side who were playing the better football and soon they settled quickly into their rhythm and created a good chance through Soczynski,who fed Furtok for a shot on the turn which Woods managed to scramble across to save.

England, knowing they needed a point to qualify for Sweden '92 the following summer, also created an early chance with David Platt seeing his shot saved in the 17th minute.

As the half wore on, it was England who looked the bettrer side and they nearly scored when a good run and cross from new cap Andy Sinton found fellow debutant, Andy Gray, but the Crystal Palace man could convert.

With just over half an hour gone, Poland suddenly broke away and took the lead. When David Rocastle, who looked in good form all night, was somewhat harshly penalised for a challenge on Ziober, there didn't seem to be too much danger.

The free-kick was some 35 yards out but when Ziober tapped the ball to Szewcyck, Woods' bearings were ruined when Gary Mabbutt deflected the shot wide of the goalkeeper.

After the half-time interval, England played with much more assurance, helped by replacing Gray with Alan Smith.

Graham Taylor's side then dominated for long periods of the second period without ever managing to find the equalising goal.

Just as it seemed England would miss out on Euro '92, a corner by Rocastle was headed down by Mabbutt and Lineker, who was standing just to the left of goal, spun brilliantly to volley an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net.