Poland beats Romania 6-0 in Nations League as Robert Lewandowski hits hat-trick

Red card alters the contest

Poland defeated Romania 6-0 on Friday night at PGE Narodowy in Warsaw during the third round of UEFA Nations League Group B4. The visiting side started with attacking intent and created early opportunities from corner kicks during an evenly contested opening twenty minutes. The dynamic changed in the 22nd minute when Swiss referee Urs Schnyder issued a direct red card to Romanian center-back Radu Dragusin for a foul on Robert Lewandowski inside the penalty box. Lewandowski converted the resulting penalty kick in the 24th minute to give Poland a 1-0 lead heading into halftime.

We wanted to continue what we were doing well before the red card. We had opportunities from corner kicks, we decided to play simply, not waste energy, focus on defending, but immediately everything collapsed.

Second-half scoring surge

The Polish team capitalized on their numerical advantage immediately after the restart, finding open space and scoring five goals in the second half. Lewandowski doubled the lead in the 47th minute, and Romanian defender Virgil Ghita turned the ball into his own net in the 49th minute. Midfielder Piotr Zielinski added a fourth goal in the 62nd minute, and defender Jan Bednarek struck in the 66th minute to make it 5-0. Lewandowski completed his hat-trick in the 86th minute, bringing his career international total to 92 goals for Poland. The three goals also increased Lewandowski's career total against Romania to eight, more than he has scored against any other national opponent.

I am certainly happy with the hat-trick, but not only with the hat-trick, also with this clear victory. In training I already felt good, so I felt that my strength had returned.

Tactical fallout and Romanian reaction

The defeat represents Romania's largest margin of loss since a 7-1 defeat against Switzerland in 1967, as well as the first time the national team conceded six goals since losing 6-4 to Yugoslavia in 1977. Romanian manager Gheorghe Hagi took full responsibility for the tactical plan during his post-match press conference and dismissed suggestions of an immediate resignation before the next matchday. Former Romanian internationals Gica Craioveanu and Cornel Dinu criticized the tactical structure following Dragusin's dismissal, noting positional confusion and the substitution of attacking players. In the stands, approximately 1,000 traveling Romanian supporters displayed a pre-match banner reading "Polonia - Inima Europei" in the away section.

Group standings and upcoming fixtures

The victory leaves Poland in third place in Group B4 with four points, behind Sweden on seven points and Bosnia and Herzegovina on five points. Romania remains at the bottom of the group with zero points and a goal difference of 3-12 following consecutive losses to Sweden, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Poland. Lewandowski received a yellow card for stepping on an opponent's foot, triggering a suspension for Poland's away fixture against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Zenica on Monday. Polish manager Jan Urban spoke briefly in Spanish with Hagi after the final whistle, offering encouragement to his counterpart. Romania will host group leaders Sweden on October 5 at Arena Nationala in Bucharest to conclude the international window.