Skorupski heroics earn a point for Poland
Thursday, October 6, 2011
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Portugal 1-1 Poland
Łukasz Skorupski came off the bench to save a penalty with his first touch and earn a Group 6 point for the visitors in Rio Maior.
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Łukasz Skorupski saved a penalty with his first touch to earn a draw for ten-man Poland in UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying Group 6, after Filip Kurto was sent off.
Wilson Eduardo was brought down by the goalkeeper, who received his marching orders, but the forward had his spot kick saved by the replacement on the stroke of half-time.
Coming off the back of a 2-0 win in Moldova in their first game, Portugal got off to flying start, with defender Pedro Mendes scoring nine minutes in. The hosts were on top but were unable to double their advantage and Legia Warszawa midfielder Michał Kucharczyk got the visitors level ten minutes before the break.
The game's major talking point occurred just before the interval, but Skorupski showed his talent to keep out Eduardo's effort and the ten men battled their way through the second half to earn a point. Poland and Portugal share the lead in the group, a point ahead of Russia, who face Moldova on Friday.
