Moldova vs Poland

Moldova and Poland are set to face each other at the Stadionul Zimbru in a must-win Euro 2024 qualifying fixture.

Moldova fans may not have high hopes of defeating Poland, and it’s understandable why. The former member of the Soviet Union has never qualified for the UEFA European Championships or the FIFA World Cup. Furthermore, they have only won one game in the Euro qualifiers since October 2011, starting this qualifying campaign without a win in three matches (D2, L1). A lack of scoring prowess saw the Moldovans net just once in those three games, which coincides with their woeful scoring record against Poland. The ‘Tricolours’ have netted only one goal in four H2Hs in the 21st century (D1, L3), though the only time they did manage to find the back of the net was in their most recent encounter at home soil (1-1).

In the meantime, Poland’s life under new boss Fernando Santos was off to a woeful start as neighbors Czech Republic thumped them 3-1 in the opening qualifying round. However, they’ve responded well, stringing together back-to-back wins, overcoming Albania 1-0 in their last qualifier before toppling Germany by the same scoreline in a friendly earlier this month. Despite only winning once on their five road trips since the start of 2022 (D2, L2), excluding an awarded victory over Russia, Poland will fancy their chances in Moldova. Indeed, their hosts have never beaten a nation ranked 23rd or higher, boosting the Poles’ spirits of staying on the upward trajectory after a disheartening 2022 World Cu exit.