Wisła Kraków edge past Płock with late strike
Wisła Kraków claimed a 2:1 victory over Wisła Płock in the Ekstraklasa on Friday evening, moving to seventh place on three points from three matches. The hosts had been wobbling — three defeats in their last four league outings — and needed something to shift the momentum. To be fair, they got it, though the manner of it suggested nerves rather than dominance.
Rodado opened the scoring in the 14th minute, a quick finish that caught the visitors off guard. Płock responded well, with Hamulic pulling level just fourteen minutes later. And here's the thing — Kraków went back ahead before half-time through Sanchez, a goal that shifted the complexion entirely. The visitors had created more but could not find the net again.
Płock controlled possession at 51 per cent and registered 122 attacks compared to 102, yet they left with nothing to show. They took seven shots on target but only converted one, while Kraków were more clinical with four attempts on target and two goals. The visitors also won more aerial duels and completed more crosses, but by then the decisive moment had already passed.
Both sides made heavy use of substitutes, with Kraków bringing on six players and Płock five. The changes were tactical rather than desperate — neither manager was trying to salvage a crumbling lead. Kraków's substitutions came later in the game, while Płock's started earlier, suggesting they were looking for a different approach from the start.
The result moves Kraków up to seventh on three points from three games, while Płock remain in the bottom half on five points from six matches. The hosts had dropped points in their previous five fixtures before this win, so it is a small relief rather than a statement. The visitors have now lost three of six league games and face a difficult run ahead.
