Pietuszewski celebrates victory in his debut for the Polish national team.

The international debut of Oskar Pietuszewski, at just 17 years old, marked a significant milestone in his career and a cause for celebration for Poland. The young winger from FC Porto was instrumental in his national team’s comeback during the match against Albania, which ended with an exciting 2-1 victory, thus securing access to the playoff for the 2026 World Cup. With this win, all eyes are now on the next challenge against Sweden, led by the talented Viktor Gyökeres.

“I am happy that my debut happened in this game. Once again, I am living a dream,” Pietuszewski said, clearly emotional after the final whistle. The match did not start well for Poland, who saw Albania take the lead. However, Pietuszewski, who came on at halftime, was decisive in his team’s recovery. “The 1-0 scoreline somewhat clipped our wings. The most important thing is that we managed to recover the deficit in the second half, take the lead, and finally win,” he added, highlighting the importance of team spirit and resilience.

Coach Jan Urban, recognizing the young talent, offered valuable advice before taking to the field: “He told me that, above all, I should play without any inhibitions. It was important for us to score the equalizer as quickly as possible,” Pietuszewski revealed. The player also made sure to balance his defensive posture, aware of the dangers that counter-attacks from the opponents could pose.

With the victory in hand, the winger does not hide the team’s ambition: “We are focused on ourselves, that is the most important thing. We have a great team with a lot of quality. We are going to Sweden solely for the win and for a place in the World Cup,” he said with determination. The confidence of the player and the entire Polish national team will be tested against a Sweden that has already proven to be a formidable opponent, especially after eliminating Ukraine with an impressive 3-1 victory.

Pietuszewski’s debut is not just an individual achievement, but a reflection of the promises of Polish football. With the experience the young player already demonstrates, Poland can nurture hopes for a bright future on the international sports stage. Expectations are now high, and all eyes will be on the upcoming clash, where the determination and talent of the new generation will face off against the tradition and quality of the Swedes.

This article first appeared on Apito Final.