Summary

  • England 2-1 Poland - Commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live & online

  • Kane converts from spot for 34th England goal, Stones gives away ball to allow Moder to equalise

  • Stones provides knockdown for Maguire to hammer in late on

  • England won opening two group games, Poland won & drew

  • Bayern Munich's Robert Lewandowski ruled out through injury

  1. That's all folks...published at 22:11 British Summer Time 31 March 2021

    FT: England 2-1 Poland

    That's it from us for tonight and for our England coverage during this international break.

    You'll be able read all the reports and reaction on the site this evening.

    Join us again this weekend for the return of the Premier League.

    It's been emotional. Night.

  2. Postpublished at 22:09 British Summer Time 31 March 2021

    FT: England 2-1 Poland

    One thing is for certain, the display tonight will only improve the cause of some of the injured players in the eyes of some fans. Jack Grealish's stock will have risen without him kicking a ball this international break.

    When you think of the players to come back into the squad - Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford, Jordan Henderson and many more - it really is an embarrassment of riches.

    If it clicks, we might really be onto something.

  3. 'A lot of good things but still a step to go'published at 22:05 British Summer Time 31 March 2021

    FT: England 2-1 Poland

    England

    England manager Gareth Southgate speaking to ITV Sport: "We were very good in the first half, we were in control of the game and to concede a goal like we did can hit the team. They stuck at it they recovered their composure and got an important set play winner."

    On John Stones: "He managed to compose himself for the rest of the game and had a part in the winning goal which was important - you can fold in those moments and he didn't.

    "He's been having a good season and he's made a mistake tonight, he knows that but he bounced back during the game and he's got to keep doing that."

    On Euro squad selection: "Everybody's got a lot to play for for that - we played a very good Polish side and we've done a lot of good things this week but we can see there's still a step to go. We had a lot of players missing that we could've refreshed the team with a bit more across the last two matches and in the end that fatigue started to showed I think but they stuck at it and deserved the win."

  4. 'If you can't win well just make sure you win'published at 21:59 British Summer Time 31 March 2021

    FT: England 2-1 Poland

    England

    England's Ben Chilwell speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live: "In the first half we dominated, controlled the game and we were confident on the ball, created a few chances and didn't give them a lot we knew they were a good team and in the second half was a different story they were a lot more aggressive they kept the ball well and put us under pressure. We can look at that as a positive because we had to show our personality and come through it so that's going to be a crucial three points going forward.

    "I don't want to make excuses it's been a hectic week and the main thing is we did come out with three points. On a better day we would've liked to control the second half like we did the first. But if you can't win well just make sure you win.

    "Going into the game today we knew beating Poland would put us in a good position going into the other qualifying games we would've preferred to control the game for the majority but those three points put us in a better position going forward."

  5. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 21:53 British Summer Time 31 March 2021

    #bbcfootball or text 81111 (UK only)

    Mark Wilkins: Sometimes you need to win ugly and with a bit of luck.... That’s the best we can say about tonight but we’re 3 from 3 and 5 points clear at the top, so job done I guess?

  6. 'Stones will come back stronger'published at 21:49 British Summer Time 31 March 2021

    FT: England 2-1 Poland

    England

    England defender Harry Maguire, speaking to ITV Sport: "It is a big win. We are playing to play at a World Cup. We started the game well but in the second half we didn't. They changed shape a bit and it took us some time to get used to it. But it is nice to get the three points. Three games in a short space of time and we have injuries too.

    "John (Stones) has been brilliant this year. Defenders make mistakes and when we do we get scrutinised. He made up for it with a great header at the back post. I said to him to just keep going. We don't like making mistakes but sometimes we are at fault for goals. We are not perfect. He is in great form and he will come back strong."

  7. Postpublished at 21:43 British Summer Time 31 March 2021

    England 2-1 Poland

    I get all the griping, I really do. But it could be worse for England. They could be Germany tonight.

  8. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 21:42 British Summer Time 31 March 2021

    #bbcfootball or text 81111 (UK only)

    We have missed Henderson Who should be England Captain, while we keep playing Kane we have to keep relying on set pieces. We are just too slow up front

    Brad

    Yay for the goal but we won't beat the better teams playing like this. Concerning!

    Kathleen, Edinburgh

  9. Postpublished at 21:41 British Summer Time 31 March 2021

    FT: England 2-1 Poland

    England make it three wins out of three in World Cup qualifying. They top Group I with nine of your finest points. Hungary sit second with seven.

    We'll have player and manager reaction shortly.

  10. 'England better team'published at 21:40 British Summer Time 31 March 2021

    FT: England 2-1 Poland

    Chris Waddle
    Ex-Newcastle and England winger on BBC Radio 5 Live

    England were the better team, no doubt, yes they made hard work of it and they were wasteful. John Stones gave that goal away for a silly mistake he shouldn't have been caught in possession there but give England credit they stuck at it and eventually got the winner.

  11. FULL-TIMEpublished at 21:38 British Summer Time 31 March 2021

    England 2-1 Poland

    Job done. Just.

  12. Postpublished at 21:38 British Summer Time 31 March 2021

    England 2-1 Poland

    A wild swing from Rafal Augustyniak in the box sends the ball high over the England bar following a long throw. That should be that...

  13. Postpublished at 21:35 British Summer Time 31 March 2021

    England 2-1 Poland

    Lingard and Calvert-Lewin eat up two of the four added minutes with some fine 'keep the ball in the corner' work.

  14. Postpublished at 21:35 British Summer Time 31 March 2021

    England 2-1 Poland

    Chris Waddle
    Ex-Newcastle and England winger on BBC Radio 5 Live

    England are a far better side than Poland but they've made hard work of it. At this level you have to take your chances and England haven't been ruthless enough, they should've took their chances when they've had them. It's should've been over at half-time.

  15. Postpublished at 21:33 British Summer Time 31 March 2021

    England 2-1 Poland

    Four minutes of injury time to go.

  16. Postpublished at 21:33 British Summer Time 31 March 2021

    England 2-1 Poland

    Into the final minute. You can criticise England's style and tactical approach, but they've shown some character tonight.

  17. SUBSTITUTIONpublished at 21:32 British Summer Time 31 March 2021

    England 2-1 Poland

    More changes. Poland send on Kamil Grosicki, while England give Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Jesse Lingard a few minutes. Kane and Sterling depart.

  18. Germany stunned againpublished at 21:31 British Summer Time 31 March 2021

    Germany 1-2 North Macedonia

    Germany

    Incredible scenes as North Macedonia retake the lead with just five minutes remaining! Elif Elmas gets the goal, sidefooting in from close range.

    Great celebration scenes, what a massive result this could be for North Macedonia.

  19. Postpublished at 21:30 British Summer Time 31 March 2021

    England 2-1 Poland

    Meanwhile, in Germany...

  20. SUBSTITUTIONpublished at 21:30 British Summer Time 31 March 2021

    England 2-1 Poland

    Haha. Now Southgate makes a change. Reece James on for Foden.