Lech Poznań beats Legia 2:1 in Warsaw, Palma's 87th-minute goal takes top spot

A late winner in Warsaw

Lech Poznań beat Legia Warszawa 2:1 at Łazienkowska on Sunday, 25 October, in the 12th round of the PKO BP Ekstraklasa. The defeat ended Legia's run of 15 league matches without a loss and was its first league defeat this season. Kickoff was delayed because smoke from a display by Legia fans in the Żyleta stand filled the stadium. Lech arrived after a 6:1 win over Korona Kielce and a 1:1 Europa League draw with Sunderland on Thursday, 22 October, its first point in that competition. Lech had not lost at Łazienkowska since 8 November 2020, when Legia won 2:1.

Goals and key moments

The first half ended 0:0 with both teams cautious. Leo Bengtsson's free kick in the 17th minute struck the post, after a foul that earned the first yellow card of the match. Mikael Ishak went off with an injury after about 14 minutes and was replaced by Yannick Agnero. Lech took the lead early in the second half, when Bengtsson's ball along the goal line let Agnero finish. Bohdan Wjunnyk, a substitute, headed Legia level from close range in the 74th minute after a flick-on in the box. Luis Palma, the Honduras international, scored the winner in the 87th minute, beating a defender before shooting from a cross.

Lech tops the table

Lech now have 28 points, one more than Górnik Zabrze on 27. Pogoń Szczecin, on 24 points, moved above Legia, which fell to fourth with 23. Pogoń and Radomiak Radom had also played a 4:3 match in the same round. Jagiellonia Białystok ended a run of four straight league defeats with a 1:0 win over Wisła Płock. At the bottom, Śląsk Wrocław left the relegation zone and Radomiak Radom took its place, while Raków Częstochowa remains last in the table.

Papszun and Frederiksen trade barbs

Before the match, Legia coach Marek Papszun argued that Lech tend to falter in big games, and he said:

Lech had justified ambitions linked to the Champions League this season, but lost in qualifiers to an average team that is now fighting relegation.

Lech coach Niels Frederiksen, who skipped the pre-match press conference because of a busy schedule, answered on TVP Sport shortly before kickoff. He said Lech play such games every week, while Legia play them only twice a year, and always against Lech. Papszun's comments had been made two days before the match. Including this game, Mikael Ishak has played 17 matches for Lech this season, scoring five goals and providing four assists. The club had not said what the injury was.