Poland v England: World Cup qualifier - as it happened - Live coverage

Poland v England: World Cup qualifier - as it happened

Text commentary and goals from this World Cup qualifier in Warsaw

Welcome to The Independent's coverage of this hastily re-arranged World Cup qualifier between Poland and England.

by Simon Rice 10/17/2012 2:30:10 PM
Here are this afternoon's teams...

by Simon Rice 10/17/2012 2:30:14 PM
Poland: Tyton, Piszczek, Wasilewski, Wawrzyniak, Glik, Polanski, Krychowiak, Wszolek, Grosicki, Obraniak, Lewandowski.

Poland subs: Kuszczak, Wojtkowiak, Komorowski, Borysiuk, Murawski, Milik, Mierzejewski, Sobota, Piech, Perquis, Sobiech, Skorupski.

by Simon Rice 10/17/2012 2:30:19 PM
England: Hart, Glen Johnson, Jagielka, Lescott, Cole, Milner, Carrick, Gerrard, Cleverley, Rooney, Defoe.

England subs: Ruddy, Walker, Baines, Cahill, Shawcross, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Shelvey, Lennon, Adam Johnson, Carroll, Welbeck, Forster.

by Simon Rice 10/17/2012 2:30:34 PM
The roof is closed for this afternoon's match.

by Simon Rice 10/17/2012 2:34:21 PM
Roy Hodgson has stuck with the team he announced last night, but it means numerous changes from the side that eased past San Marino last Friday. Perhaps the most contentious is the decision to drop Danny Welbeck in favour of Jermain Defoe. The Manchester United striker was a stand-out performer, albeit against the worst team in the world, scoring two goals.

by Simon Rice 10/17/2012 2:39:49 PM
Another of Friday's goal scorers, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, also drops to the bench with James Milner coming into the midfield. Aaron Lennon, who came on for Theo Walcott is another not to retain his place in the side. He is replaced by Steven Gerrard who was suspended for the match against San Marino.

by Simon Rice 10/17/2012 2:41:01 PM
Rooney continues in attack, although hands the armband to the returning Gerrard. You can read what Gary Neville has been saying about Rooney's future, and the need for the Manchester United striker to adapt, here...
www.independent.co.uk

by Simon Rice 10/17/2012 2:42:02 PM
At the back there are three changes. Out are Leighton Baines, Gary Cahill and Kyle Walker. They are replaced by the more experienced trio of Ashley Cole, Joleon Lescott and Glen Johnson. Phil Jagielka retains his place.

by Simon Rice 10/17/2012 2:44:04 PM
Pictured earlier today, groundsmen inspect the conditions with some hi-tech looking equipment.

by Simon Rice 10/17/2012 2:44:16 PM
Andy Carroll starts on the bench, but you get the feeling the West Ham striker would like to prove a point this afternoon if he comes on. The famous former Poland international Zbigniew Boniek said earlier this week that his eight-year-old grandson was a more technically accomplished player than the England striker. You can read more about that here... www.independent.co.uk

by Simon Rice 10/17/2012 2:46:17 PM
Both Gerrard and Cole are making their 99th appearances for England. Between them they have won two Champions League trophies, three Premier League titles, nine FA Cups and four League Cups but there is no doubting they are in the last-chance saloon with England. You can read what The Independent's Sam Wallace had to say on the subject by clicking here...
www.independent.co.uk

by Simon Rice 10/17/2012 2:48:08 PM
England's record against tonight's opponents stands at 10 wins, six draws and just a solitary victory for Poland. That victory for Poland came in a World Cup qualifier back in 1973.

by Simon Rice 10/17/2012 2:49:15 PM
This is how the conditions looked last night. I can confirm they're in a much better state this afternoon.

by Simon Rice 10/17/2012 2:49:50 PM
Perhaps the greatest threat to England's hopes of pushing clear of Montenegro at the top of Group H will come in the form of Robert Lewandowski. The Dortmund striker, known for his height and aerial ability, impressed at Euro 2012 and is coveted by nearly every club in Europe if speculation is to be believed. Arsenal, Chelsea and in particular both Manchester clubs have been advanced as suitors for a player who scored 30 times last season to open Dortmund's route to a league and cup double. United had a £16m approach rejected last summer but given his dwindling contract it may not take millions more to swing a deal. In this piece from the Independent, it is pointed out that while his scoring record is impressive, it is not all it might be... www.independent.co.uk

by Simon Rice 10/17/2012 2:51:46 PM
Other players England must watch this afternoon include Ludovic Obraniak, an attacking midfielder who scored twice on his debut and played all three games at Euro 2012. The 18-year-old Arkadiusz Milik , who starts on the bench, has been fast-tracked into the national squad because of an over-reliance on Lewandowski and Jakub Blaszczykowski for goals. The striker, who made his debut on Friday against South Africa, has already been touted as a possible replacement for Lewandowski at Dortmund.

by Simon Rice 10/17/2012 2:53:40 PM
The players are on their way out and we'll be kicking off in just over five minutes. Just to let you know, you can follow me on Twitter @simonrice twitter.com

by Simon Rice 10/17/2012 2:54:20 PM
The National Stadium is looking close to full in Warsaw.

by Simon Rice 10/17/2012 2:55:01 PM
The roof is closed for this afternoon's match following the farcical scenes last night. The Independent's Sam Wallace, who is in Warsaw for the match, writes about the fury of both England and Poland fans in this piece... www.independent.co.uk

by Simon Rice 10/17/2012 2:55:23 PM
It is understood as many as two-thirds of the 2,500 England fans who travelled to Poland to watch the match will be in attendance this afteroon. There's more from the England fans' spokesman Mark Perryman on the situation here... www.independent.co.uk

by Simon Rice 10/17/2012 2:57:45 PM
1 min: We're off...

by Simon Rice 10/17/2012 2:59:07 PM
2 min: The ball still looks to be running a little slow across the pitch in these early stages.

by Simon Rice 10/17/2012 3:00:51 PM
3 min: Milner makes a run to the byline with Cleverley on the end of his deep cross. The Manchester United midfielder's shot is blocked.

by Simon Rice 10/17/2012 3:01:48 PM
4 min: Some good hold up play from Lewandowski as Poland look to make a meaningful attack.

by Simon Rice 10/17/2012 3:02:56 PM
6 min: Tyton comes to the outer edges of his box to collect the ball just ahead of Defoe - who's come in to replace Welbeck. The Tottenham forward will be wanting to justify his selection this afternoon.

by Simon Rice 10/17/2012 3:04:24 PM
7 min: Poland fans waving their scarves and getting behind their team. Great atmosphere by the looks of things in Warsaw as England build slowly from the back.

by Simon Rice 10/17/2012 3:05:37 PM
9 min:Long throw nearly finds Lewandowski in the box. Good pressure from Poland right now. Grosicki then has a decent chance inside the box but he misfires and England clear.

by Simon Rice 10/17/2012 3:07:58 PM
10 min:Poland shouts for a hand ball in the England penalty area against Glen Johnson. It’s not given.

by Simon Rice 10/17/2012 3:08:43 PM
12 min:England go on the attack but give it away allowing Poland to break. Polanski is then booked.

by Simon Rice 10/17/2012 3:10:22 PM
14 min:Poland the better team at the moment with England failing to get a hold in this game. And the visitors are bailed out by Hart who comes out well when Piszczek breaks into the box. Hart gets their first – just.

by Simon Rice 10/17/2012 3:12:53 PM
15 min: Cleverley does well to force his way through the midfield. The ball then comes to Milner but his low cross is easily dealt with.

by Simon Rice 10/17/2012 3:13:53 PM
16 min: Good run from Wszołek down the left but Jagielka is fouled in the box as his cross comes in.

by Simon Rice 10/17/2012 3:14:44 PM
18 min: England looking to calm things down a bit with Poland in the ascendancy right now. But a cross from Rooney gifts possession back to the hosts.

by Simon Rice 10/17/2012 3:16:17 PM
19 min: Unlike the Warsaw turf, Poland have a real zip about them. England have looked slow. Right now the hosts look to have prepared better for this hastily re-arranged game.

by Simon Rice 10/17/2012 3:18:05 PM
21 min: A shot for England. Rooney down the left hand side and lays it back for Cleverley. His United team-mate loses it but the ball rolls back to Rooney who tries to curl it over the keeper. It’s simple for Tyton.

by Simon Rice 10/17/2012 3:19:39 PM
22 min: Dangerous free-kick from Poland is cleared by England as a Mexican wave goes around the National Stadium.

by Simon Rice 10/17/2012 3:20:43 PM
24 min: Excellent run from the dangerous Grosicki and England boot it out of play. Still no pace in the away team’s play. It’s sluggish right now.

by Simon Rice 10/17/2012 3:22:22 PM
25 min: Gerrard plays a smart ball into the feet of Rooney on the edge of the box but the United striker’s touch is woeful. Gerrard then has a go from range which is blocked.

by Simon Rice 10/17/2012 3:23:20 PM
26 min: Defoe and Milner combine down the left to win England a throw in a dangerous position. Milner’s low cross is then nearly turned in by Defoe at the front post. Better.

by Simon Rice 10/17/2012 3:25:08 PM
27 min: Gerrard’s out-swinging corner is knocked down by Rooney but no one is there. Poland clear.

by Simon Rice 10/17/2012 3:25:58 PM
29 min: This match was meant to kick-off 20 hours ago but right now it doesn’t seem worth the wait as Poland go close from a tight angle.

by Simon Rice 10/17/2012 3:27:43 PM
31 min: GOAL! Poland 0 England 1.

by Simon Rice 10/17/2012 3:29:39 PM
32 min: Gerrard scraps his way through midfield and wins England a corner. The Liverpool captain takes it himself and delivers it to the edge of the six-yard box. Rooney is there and is able to delicately nod it into the back of the net without hardly a challenge to speak of on him. Advantage England – somehow.

by Simon Rice 10/17/2012 3:30:55 PM
34 min: Poland look to hit back swiftly following Rooney’s 32nd goal for England. Wszołek looks to have made space in the box but it gets away from him, just.

by Simon Rice 10/17/2012 3:32:30 PM
34 min: Wawrzyniak shoots from range but it’s well over Hart’s cross bar.

by Simon Rice 10/17/2012 3:33:09 PM