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Lewandowski hat-trick helps Poland sink Latvia in Euro 2020 qualifier

Published : 11 Oct 2019, 12:12

  DF-Xinhua Report
Poland's Robert Lewandowski (front) celebrates with his teammates during the UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying round Group G match between Latvia and Poland in Riga, Latvia, Oct. 10, 2019. Photo by Edijs Palens/Xinhua.

Robert Lewandowski scored a hat-trick as Poland ran out easy 3-0 winners away at Latvia in their Euro 2020 qualifier on Thursday.

The Bayern Munich striker needed just 13 minutes to score twice in Riga, finding the net from close range before turning home a fine assist by Kamil Grosicki from the left wing.

With 15 minutes of the game left, the Polish skipper put the ball into an empty net, marking the final goal of the game and inflicting Latvia's seventh qualifying defeat in as many games.

"We started very well as we pressed high," Poland coach Jerzy Brzeczek told Polish television afterwards.

"In the second half we created a lot of chances and we should have scored more goals, but I'm satisfied with the performance of my team. I would like to praise the youngster Sebastian Szymanski. I'm sure he will be an important player for the national team in future."

Thanks to their win, Poland still sit top of Group G with 16 points after seven matches, three points ahead of second-placed Austria. If Brzeczek's side beat North Macedonia in Warsaw on Sunday, they will secure their spot at UEFA Euro 2020.